Paddy McCarthy is the only potential Ireland debutant on Saturday with the Leinster prop having earned a spot on the bench.
McCarthy – the younger brother of lock Joe McCarthy – was an unused member of Ireland’s summer squad in Georgia and Portugal under interim boss Paul O’Connell, but Farrell said the 22-year-old has been on his radar since impressing for the under-20s in a training session against the first team in 2023.
“That’s why we train against the under-20s, so we know who is coming through,” said the 50-year-old.
“I get asked the question, ‘do you want to train against them this year?’. Imagine being in the under-20s and you didn’t get an opportunity to train against the first team and every other year has. It’s an unbelievable tradition.
“He spoiled our session on many occasions, but there’s something in the eyes there that not a lot of people have got.”
With Caelan Doris starting on the bench after recovering from shoulder surgery, Dan Sheehan will captain Ireland for the second time, having previously led the team against Wales in this year’s Six Nations.
Farrell also picked Sheehan as captain for the British and Irish Lions’ game against Western Force in June, and while he has several players capable of deputising for Doris, he said he has been struck by how the 27-year-old hooker has “developed as a leader”.
“He’s so calm, controlled, considered. He uses, from his body language to everyone else, that he’s in control. That it will be OK. Let’s just prepare properly.
“That gives confidence throughout the squad. Not just that, he doesn’t get in the way of his own performances either. It’s a big honour for him and I suppose that will continue to grow for him down track.”
