Stuart McCloskey tells story of Andy Farrell training moment that inspired his Marcus Smith chase
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Work harder.
It’s often the smallest moments in training that end up shaping the biggest moments on matchday — and for Stuart McCloskey, one reminder from Andy Farrell proved decisive and laid the foundation for his now infamous chasedown on Marcus Smith.
Ireland had barely caught their breath after a bruising turnaround from playing Italy when Farrell picked up on something during a Tuesday session.
“We were battered having played three days earlier,” McCloskey told The Telegraph.
“Obviously, we were trying to train hard, but trying to get through the session. Me and a couple of others didn’t chase back quite as hard, and I think Jack Crowley came across and made a good tackle.
“Afterwards Andy brought the clip up and said something like ‘I think we can work harder there’ but with a knowing look.
“I think we all got the picture, and it is just funny how it goes full circle in the game and it comes up where we all have to work hard.”
That message didn’t take long to resurface.
With just minutes left in the game against England, and Ireland well ahead on the scoreboard, McCloskey’s side looked set to finish off a flowing move before Marcus Smith picked off a pass and sprinted clear — and the Ulsterman reacted quickest.
“It was just lucky that I was the one that had the good angle, and I hadn’t had to do much running in that play. I wasn’t moving forward as I had done and was admiring how well the play was run.
“Craig [Casey] had thrown me a great pass, I passed to [Ciarán] Frawley, who played a lovely out-the-back ball to Crowley, and we were walking in another try before Smith intercepted the pass.”
What followed was a full-length chase that summed up Ireland’s mindset that day and the power of having a coach like Andy Farrell at the helm.
“I was able to just turn and go while the others were moving forward. That’s the excuse Jamie Osborne keeps telling me anyway, as to why I was running faster than him!”
“I get on well with Marcus. I am sure he won’t live this one down for a while, that I caught him. Anyone in the same situation in our team would have done the same thing and you do see all the other lads piling in to get back. Thankfully I was the one in position to do it.”
A quiet word in training, a split-second decision in the game — and a moment that perfectly captured the standards Farrell demands.
