Hungry.

Ireland boss Andy Farrell says his side have to be “hungry” when their season finally resumes in October with rescheduled Six Nations fixtures against Italy and France.

Ireland’s last outing under Farrell was one to forget with Eddie Jones’ England dismantling them at Twickenham. But their defeat at the hands of France along with Les Blues’ defeat to Scotland leaves Ireland in prime position to capture a second championship in three years.

Speaking to the media today, Farrell said destiny is their own hands come October and his side can’t be frightened by what’s to come following an unprecedented period in sport.

“There is a little bit of destiny in your own hands although it will be a tough old task with the games that have to come,” Farrell said.

“We’ve got to perform against Italy first haven’t we, we have to get what we want out of that game and they are going to be a tough first game up.

“All the lads are aware what is coming around the corner for them in so far as the big games for the provinces first which will get them selected to get them back into that 6 Nations and it’s there to be won.

“We’ve got to be hungry to do that and not be frightened by that.”

It’s an exciting time for Farrell and his men with a new eight-team tournament also set to take place in November in December with the six nations joined by Japan and Fiji.

And it’s a championship Ireland are going out to win.

“Any competition that you are involved in you want to win it. We certainly would never shy away from that,” Farrell added.

“What the tournament would bring you would have thought with all the big games that is going to happen before we get into the international autumn series is that you would probably tend to utilise a squad that may be a little bit bigger than normal simply because of the run of games and the back to back week that is world cup-esque.

“I suppose the buzzword over the next couple of months is going to be adaptability isn’t it. We’ve all got to do that. I think its super exciting a different competition, two new teams that is going to be in the competition. A competition that is going to be World Cup like in a way along with the two games that we have left in the Six Nations it could mean that we are together for eight of nine weeks which is great for us going forward.

“The calendar is packed obviously, but its packed with quality, quality games and it’s what we all want to be part of.”