Andy Farrell emphasises on improved defence for Ireland ahead of Italy clash

Ireland assistant coach Andy Farrell has urged his team to get into the mood of enjoying defence as they lock horns with Italy next weekend to keep their Six Nations hope live.

Ireland defence was exploited by Scotland in the Six Nations opening clash at Murrayfield last Saturday with Stuart Hogg crossing over twice in the first quarter and was followed by another try from Alex Dunbar.

Even though, Ireland upped the ante in the second half, scoring two tries in the 47th and 61st minute, a double penalty from Greig Laidlaw in the final 10 minutes saw the Dark Blues home with a slender five-point victory.

Farrell, who was also appointed as the assistant coach for British and Irish Lions in the upcoming tour of New Zealand in June said the players lacked motivation for strong defence in the first half which costed Ireland the game.

"Every single time we get an opportunity to defend, we should love it, and we didn't," Farrell said.

"So our mood was affected, our appetite was affected a little bit, and we got it back in the second half.

"We'll work on the reasons why. I'm more concerned about the mood at the time, of our lack of want to get back in the line and enjoy our defence.

"Our mood was completely different in the first half compared to what it was in the second half and I think we let things a little bit affect us and we shouldn't do that defensively. We should love defending."

Recalling his conversation with Scotland coach Vern Cotter after the game, Farrell said: "I think the upsetting thing for myself after the game was that Vern Cotter came up to me - and Scotland, all credit to them, I thought they played really well, especially in the first half - but he said, 'Jeez, you changed your defence in the second half, didn't you?'.

"And we didn't. We didn't. So now you can understand why I'm talking about the mood."

Our 6 Nations cover is sponsored by Allett Mowers