While speculation continues over his own future beyond the current World Cup cycle, the Ireland head coach was far more animated when discussing the challenge posed by Steve Tandy’s team than questions surrounding his contract.
Ireland, who have not lost to Wales since 2021, are chasing a Triple Crown and have made five changes for the clash at the Aviva Stadium.
Yet Farrell insists recent form lines - mainly Wales’ 14-match losing streak in the tournament - and statistics will offer no guarantees.
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"It's been written many a times about the decline and how unfortunate it's been, but at the same time we're playing them in a Test match on Friday night and, from what I've seen from game one, like ourselves, they've got better every week,” said Farrell about Wales.
"The last week, they came very close to winning against a very strong Scottish squad. Therefore, we've heard from the Welsh camp the confidence they've got from that.
"They're coming to Dublin on a Friday night with a spring in their step. We've heard that they're very familiar with how our lads play, because of the familiarity with the URC and all of that.
"What influences that is probably the result last year against us, so it's up to us to show that we've moved on as well."
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Away from the immediate task, Farrell confirmed he will hold discussions with the IRFU once the championship concludes, as his current deal runs until the end of this World Cup cycle.
Reports have linked him with a return to Saracens in 2027, where he previously played and coached, and where his son Owen has spent much of his career.
He dismissed suggestions that anything is already agreed.
"I mean, you'd expect me to say that I'm here to just concentrate on the Six Nations and what will be will be in the future," he told RTÉ Sport when asked about his future.
"I suppose it's people [putting] two and two together and making five with the connections; good friends with the owner, Owen's there, all of that.
"You can see why that's happened but I suppose we'll sit down and have discussions with the IRFU in the near future, that's for sure."
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For now, his attention is firmly on team selection and performance.
Jacob Stockdale replaces the injured James Lowe on the wing, while Tom O’Toole, Rónan Kelleher, Jack Conan and Nick Timoney all come into the starting XV. Ulster scrum-half Nathan Doak is poised for a potential debut from the bench.
One notable omission is Bundee Aki, who has completed a four-game suspension but does not feature in the matchday 23. Farrell explained the reasoning behind that decision.
"It was close enough that he's training with us for three days," Farrell said of his decision not to include Aki.
"It's good to see him. He's fit and able but there are other lads playing well and earned the right to keep rolling on in that position.
"It was nice to see Jimmy O'Brien back in the squad looking sharp as well, as well as Robbie Henshaw.
"All of a sudden there's a little bit more depth coming back into the squad there.
"I'd say whatever's right for the team and the group going forward. I'm making sure that we're able to find out about people who deserve a chance to compete for a shirt.
"I'm making sure that that is a consistent thing, that they're able to keep pushing on with the game," he added.
