"Could face each other" - Owen Farrell's brother will qualify to play for Ireland

Andy Farrell, who assumed the role of head coach for Ireland in 2019, made the pivotal choice to relocate his family to Dublin. This move was influenced by his marriage to Colleen O'Loughlin, the sister of his former Wigan teammate, Sean O'Loughlin. This union has resulted in a family of four children, including Owen and Gabriel.

In 2019, as a result of their move to Ireland, Andy's younger son Gabriel may become eligible to play for the Irish national team through residency, if not through ancestry. The final decision on whether Gabriel will pursue a professional rugby career remains in the balance.

He said: "Everyone from the north-west of England is from Ireland anyway. You go from Liverpool straight across the east Lancs to Manchester and it’s full of Irish. I’ve got [Dublin] ancestry that goes back three or four generations, and so has my wife.

“The big move for us, and anyone else from Wigan, is to move down south. That’s the big move,” he adds, smiling. “Coming to Ireland and living in Dublin is almost like going home for me. Just the people and family-type atmosphere.”

Andy and Owen both played together for English Premiership team Saracens and there was big competition between them. 

“He says he never lets me win,” said Owen. “But I always win anyway.”

Andy, in 2020, proudly shared that Gabriel's rugby development is progressing rapidly and that he is already surpassing the achievements of his older brother Owen at the same age.

Gabriel's dedication to honing his goal-kicking skills indicates that he is on a promising path to becoming a talented young rugby player.

Irish Independent 5/10: "Pinged twice in the opening minutes, once at the breakdown and once in the scrum. Indeed, he drew the whistle from Wayne Barnes in two of the game's first three scrums. Running dialogue with the ref but seemed frustrated throughout."

Planet Rugby 3/10: "His illegalities at the scrum finally caught up with him as Wayne Barnes continually penalised Porter for not driving straight. However, it was his needless infringement in the opening minute which set the tone."

RUCK 5/10: "Penalised in an early scrum, as his hips were too wide in the pack. A big hit on Will Jordan on the 20th phase, as Ireland defended strong. Couldn’t support Doris in time for his carry, as the number eight was isolated, and Porter couldn’t stop Savea’s turnover. Penalised twice more in the scrum for the same offence, in a performance he would want to forget in the pack. "

Rugby Pass 5/10: "Elias wasn’t entirely accurate with his lineout throws and didn’t stand out in open play."

Planet Rugby 4/10: "He threw his weight around well on defence and was strong with ball in hand, but three poor lineout throws, from five, cost Wales promising attacking opportunities in the first half and was replaced at the break because of it. "

Wales Online 4/10: "Up to this point, he had been one of the unsung heroes of Wales' World Cup campaign but three overthrown lineouts."

Telegraph 5/10: "Lord he was in the wars. Whether having Semi Radradra bouncing him in the tackle, Josua Tuisova ragdolling him, or going for an HIA, Smith showed huge heart. Jury out whether he will stay at full back for the semi-final."

Rugby Pass 6.5/10: "Picked for just his second start in the full-back position, he worked well with some early ball but got caught on a run from inside his own half with England 8-0 up and that turnover resulted in a missed Fijian shot at the posts. Soon took a smack to the head from the yellow-carded Vinaya Habosi on a carry in the lead-up to the Marchant try. Returned to resume playing a very capable part in the win despite the need for further on-pitch running repairs."

Planet Rugby 6/10: "As Steve Borthwick predicted, Fiji didn’t test his aerial skills, but Smith didn’t really cut loose. Conceded one penalty when trying to counter, but he did mop up well at times and that extra pair of eyes helped Owen Farrell."

Evening Standard 6/10: "Rode out one extremely risky break and dealt with a broken nose to add just enough poise to England’s back-field set-up."

Mail Online 5/10: "Battered and bruised in the contact area, with blood pouring down his face. Tackling in the backfield very different to front-line defending as he found out the hard way."

Rugby Pass 3.5: "Lowe had one of his worst performances in an Irish jersey. Lowe dropped the ball behind him and over the sideline with his first touch, and this practically summed up the wing’s off night at Stade de France. Lowe wasn’t just off, he was ineffective in practically all facets of the game."

Sunday World 5/10: "Was never a game where he could bring his trusty left boot into play, Lowe kept on looking for work but this was a game where his considerable attacking talents ultimately had little bearing on the outcome."

RUCK 5.5/10: "Strong opening tackle to set his tempo in defence. Spilled the pass from North, which could have led to a try. Good presence on Argentina’s back three under the high ball, beut ended his half with an unnecessary shot on Cubelli. Lucky to avoid a yellow. Continued to jump in front of high ball catchers, and repeatedly lucky to be let off."

Rugby Pass 4/10: "Had a quiet first half, one lowlight being a bungled pass with the Argentinian line beckoning, another being a braindead push on Matteo Carreras, which was lucky only to be a yellow. A day to forget for the Cardiff winger."

Wales Online 5/10: "Gave away a needless penalty on the stroke of half-time to gift Argentina points, and, even more crucially, momentum. Chased hard but the ball rarely came his way. A bad day at the office."