
Rugby
Ireland were convincingly beaten by both Wales and England in the Six Nations but there wasn't the same sense that they were so hopelessly adrift of contending for the World Cup.
The England and Wales losses in the Six Nations were bad but they came on the back of a year where Ireland had won a Grand Slam, where they had beaten Australia twice in three games, where they head beaten New Zealand on home soil to follow up a win in Chicago.
Warm-up game or not, Ireland have now been convincingly beaten three consecutive times against legitimate World Cup contenders, conceding an average of 38 points in each of those games.
The returns of James Ryan, Devin Toner and Johnny Sexton to the starting fold should reduce some of the swelling but this a team that has transitioned from world beaters to just plain old bloody and beaten.
There's still a lot of players in the squad with Lions winning experience, Champions Cup winning experience, Six Nations and Grand Slam winning experience, but experience counts for little when you're being thoroughly outclassed in every single aspect of the game.
Former Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris was confident that Ireland could fix a lot of their issues but when you concede 57 points there's a lot more wrong with your team than just a few dodgy line-outs or dodgy kicks.
Ireland had a chance to go number one in the world with a win but in reality they are now at their lowest point of the Schmidt era.
Prendergast admits huge disappointment at Munster situation
Not ideal. It’s worrying times for Munster rugby at the moment, with problems on and off the field. After being knocked out of both the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup, controversy then surrounded the appointment of Roger Randle for next season, due to historic rape accusations. The New Zealander is coming in to replace senior […]
Rugby
10h
Kerry legend slams players for reaction to Michael Murphy punch
Not under his watch! Although the dust has pretty much settled after the Michael Murphy incident during Donegal’s NFL Division 1 final win over Kerry last month, one Kingdom legend is still not pleased with what went on. Most of the criticism was levelled at Murphy for his clear-as-day punch on Dylan Casey, as well […]
Rugby
11h
Rugby
The SportsJOE Friday Pub Quiz: Week 134
Rugby