Ireland must ‘break free’ to save Six Nations campaign: attack coach

Irish players need to communicate better and “break free” when they face Italy on Saturday after a disastrous start to their Six Nations campaign, attacking coach Mike Catt said.

Andy Farrell’s men travel to Rome in hopes of avoiding losing their first three games for the first time since the five nations of 1998 – before Italy was added to the league.

Catt was part of the England squad who ensured the Irish were left useless that year, scoring a try in the 35-17 win on the final matchday.

The 49-year-old has been criticized for the lack of cutting and thrust from the full-backs in the 21-16 loss to Wales and the 15-13 loss to France.

But Catt, who won the World Cup with England in 2003, said Irish players need to learn to scream louder.

“Communication is everything,” he said on Monday. “In the past, everyone was very dependent on your nine (scrum half) and your 10 (fly half) to control a game. So again, that’s another huge job for us.

“In terms of the composure of some players, it’s something we can be so much better at.”

Catt said it’s important for players to impose themselves physically and verbally wherever they play in the background.

“It’s not just your running backs controlling it, it’s your crosses that see the space,” he said.

“It’s your wingers then using that ability to send the ball to them and to see the space and your full-back is involved all the time so, again, that’s huge in terms of personalities.

“I believe we can get the most out of the players and, again, it’s a huge work in progress.”

Head coach Farrell has challenged his full-back to show off their “X-factor” and players like center Garry Ringrose and glitter-toed winger Jordan Larmour have the ability to deliver the magic.

Catt called on the players to speak out.

“We have deep thinkers in the team and some of them just need to break free a bit and go play the game,” he said.

“But every person, every player is different, so it’s really getting to know the players and understand what makes them tick and how they can also hang out in these games.”

pi / jw / dmc