WE AIN'T HOLDING BACK

Farrell returns to tried and trusted with forwards to counter Boks' Bomb Squad

- BY DEREK FOLEY

ANDY Farrell admits South Africa is a big step up from Australia - the back-to-back Rugby World Cup winners and current Rugby Championship holders are the benchmark.

And in looking to find a way past tomorrow's foes, to end the November Series on a high, he is returning to the tried and trusted in the back-row.

Specifically, that means bringing back 2022 World Player of the Year Josh van der Flier, moving skipper Caelan Doris back to No.8, leaving Ryan Baird in place at No.6 and asking Jack Conan to lead up the Bomb Disposal Squad!

Says Farrell of this three-one: “Josh is obviously fresh enough and determined enough to put his stamp on this Autumn series.

“He is raring to go and not just that, I think if you look at how Jack Conan has been in the past, with coming on, making a cameo off the bench, he's been excellent at doing that.

“So it obviously is a continuation of not just a start to the game but a full 85/90 minute performance, whatever it takes, because that's obviously what needs to happen against a side like this.”