Farrell pleased with balanced Irish team for England challenge

The sides meet at Twickenham on Saturday, with Ireland bidding for a first win at the London venue since 2018.

Farrell has made six changes in all to his team, as they look to keep their title aspirations alive.

He says it is a challenge to pick the side, with so many players eager for game time.

"It's always difficult, it doesn't matter what game you're talking about it's always difficult when you've got a good squad and we've certainly got that," Farrell told the media today.

"We've said all along it'll be the squad effort, the squad togetherness that gets us through this competition. Some tough decisions to make this week but we feel the balance of the team is a good one."

The importance of impact off the bench is something Farrell also referred to, emphasising the strength in depth in the squad.

"Our bench, we have an experienced bench, explosive bench that can add to our performance and that's pretty important.

"The starters in the backline, again I think it's a nice balance, people who are in form and balance our team up pretty nicely."

One of the main areas Farrell had a headache was the backrow, where Peter O'Mahony starts with Jack Conan among the replacements.

"Both great players but we just think the balance is right in this game," Farrell explained of his choice.

"Pete is in good form, not just physically but he's a good emotional leader for us as well, leadership is a big thing for each performance.

"We know what Pete brings as far as the setpiece is concerned and the breakdown is concerned but the rest of his game has come on an absolute treat, his attack stuff has really stepped up so I think he played really well against Italy, I also thought that Jack played really well coming off the bench and had a big impact and yeah, I think the balance is right this week."