Strong performances should be the objective of any player or coach in any sport (as they lead to results), but there’s no substitute for the confidence that comes from finishing the game on the right of the scoreboard, and on Saturday, Ireland had to fight tooth and nail to earn a win that they … Continue reading The Bare Minimum
When it comes to playing teams who hold on to the ball for long periods and make good use of it (Leinster, Clermont, the Exeter Chiefs, the All Blacks), there’s a maxim that always gets rolled out by spectators and commentators: "just don’t give them the ball". The theory behind it is sound; if … Continue reading Scotland v Ireland: Match Preview
They say that one loss doesn’t make a bad team, but if there is a repeat of the performance that Ireland produced on Saturday evening, then the doubts over how good a side they really are will become genuine. That may sound harsh when they were well in the contest for more than 65 … Continue reading A Nightmare On Lansdowne Road
History tells us that being favourites doesn't suit Ireland, and even though this hasn't been as much of a problem for Joe Schmidt as it was for his predecessors, there's still a sense of discomfort that goes with knowing that they are short odds to win their next Test. As first-up games in the … Continue reading Heavy Lies The Crown
