Farrell dismisses Jones' scrum-dominance prediction ahead of Ireland's clash with Japan

Andy Farrell has brushed aside Eddie Jones’ pre-match mind games ahead of Ireland’s Nations Championship meeting with Japan in Newcastle, Australia on Saturday, insisting his side expect to dominate “in all areas of the game” across both halves.

Jones, returning from a four-match ban imposed by the Japanese federation for abusing match officials, had predicted his pack would take control of the Irish scrum in the second half. Farrell, who knows Jones well from their shared time at Saracens, was unmoved.

“In the first and second half especially, we expect to dominate in all areas of the game,” Farrell told reporters.

The Ireland head coach was equally relaxed about the broader provocation. “I have loads of respect for Eddie,” he said. “We go back a long way, and I know what he’s trying to do. There’s always something, and it’s great for you guys to throw the questions back over here. It’s just a bit of banter thrown back, I would have thought, from my end.”

Ireland will again be without Ulster wing Robert Baloucoune, who missed last weekend’s win over Australia, while loosehead Jeremy Loughman is also unavailable after suffering a concussion in Sydney. Farrell indicated both players are being managed carefully with next week’s fixture against New Zealand at Eden Park in mind.

“We just thought it would be a little bit stupid of us to push him,” Farrell said of Baloucoune. “It’s a little bit softly-softly with him to make sure that he’s fit for next week.”