Farrell would not let Andy's Ireland down

MIKE PRENDERGAST is backing Tom Farrell to perform for Ireland if called upon by Andy Farrell in November.

- BY MICHAEL SCULLY

Farrell, 32, earned a late call-up on Monday to Farrell's squad ahead of their trip to Chicago a day later to prepare for the clash with the All Blacks on Saturday week.

It is unlikely Munster's player of the year last season (inset top) will make his Test debut at Soldier Field but, with Bundee Aki, Robbie Henshaw and Stuart McCloskey nursing knocks, the Dubliner is providing cover.

Prendergast believes Farrell can shine on that Test stage, or at some stage in the Quilter Series games that follow at the Aviva Stadium against Japan, Australia and South Africa.

"I think so," said Munster's attack coach (right). "I think the thing with Tom is he does it on the big days. He does it against the big teams.

"I was even thinking back to when we were showing clips last week against Leinster in Croke Park and a lot of it was around Tom and the nine breaks he made, etc.