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Tom O'Toole's Loosehead Switch Powers Ireland to Triple Crown, Earns Farrell's Praise

Coach Andy Farrell called the tighthead's successful move to loosehead 'amazing' given the difficulty of changing sides in the scrum.

Overview

  • Pressed into loosehead by an injury crisis that included Jeremy Loughman, O'Toole moved across from tighthead during the Six Nations.
  • After bench roles against Italy and England, he started the final two wins and anchored a dominant effort in the 43-21 victory over Scotland.
  • Against Scotland he won an early scrum penalty on Zander Fagerson, Ireland secured all six of their own scrums, and he made 20 tackles in 65 minutes.
  • O'Toole credited one-on-one guidance and motivation from Farrell, while the head coach lauded the rarity and execution of his positional switch.
  • Reporters note he is expected to return to tighthead for Ulster, with his form seen as strengthening his case for selection on the summer tour to Australia and New Zealand.