FARRELL'S FLYING IN

Tom earns belated Ireland ticket to Chicago

- By MICHAEL SCULLY

TOM Farrell's belated Chicago call-up has come after he believed his Test hopes were doomed.

Opportunity has finally knocked for the Dubliner who, at 32, is playing his best rugby.

After moving from Connacht to Munster in the summer of 2024, Farrell was their player of the season last term.

But he didn't get selected for the much-changed Ireland summer series squad, though many frontliners were with the British and Irish Lions.

He has hit the ground running this season and, if not making Andy Farrell's original November squad provided further fuel, he raced into contention for a late call with a top-level performance against Leinster at Croke Park.

With Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw travelling after suffering knocks and Mack Hansen ruled out, Farrell has added his namesake and Jimmy O'Brien as backs cover.

“I’m taking some credit for Tom,” smiled assistant coach John Fogarty, who first coached Farrell at Leinster's under-20s.

“I told him downstairs I was trying to get him in for a long time now so I’m glad he’s here. It's brilliant for him, he’s buzzing as well, so hugely excited for him.

“He's always had an ability to make line breaks, to deal with a defender in front of him, to get through contact, to be able to offload.