Farrell also praised the adaptability of Ulster prop Tom O’Toole, who performed admirably at loose-head against Wales on Friday, instead of his usual position at tight-head.
“It’s amazing what he’s done. It’s a lot more difficult than what people would think,” reflected Farrell.
“What’s been really impressive has been how he committed to not having any excuses in his own mind. It’s very easy to do that. You could say, ‘well that’s not the position I’ve been playing’.
“Everyone knows how difficult it is to switch but he committed to it and we’ve seen that type of scrummaging performance in training, and he got us a few penalties on the back of that.”
Farrell welcomed the flexibility that O’Toole’s ability to play either side of the scrum brings.
“There’s always things going on in the back of your mind of what could happen down the track. Different permutations that could happen injury-wise, do you need a double adaptor in the World Cup, all that type of stuff.
“He’s trained there for us before but to be in there at the deep end, I’m sure he and John Fogarty wouldn’t have thought six months ago that he’s be starting at loose-head in a Test match.
“But I think that’s a fantastic story for us going forward.”
The 2025 British and Irish Lions coach concedes he may have a selection headache on his hands when all his front row personnel are fit again, including Andrew Porter.
“It’s huge [in terms of possible World Cup selection]. The dynamics are going to keep unfolding in front of our face but you’ve got ‘Ports’ [Andrew Porter] who can play both sides, you’ve got Tom O’Toole, who can do that, and you’ve got all the young lads there at loose-head who are going to keep competing.
“So when we do get them all back, I mean it’s been a bit of a nightmare as far as that position is concerned, but when they all do come back, it’s going to stand to us.”
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