For some time Ireland have laboured under the delusion that Wales belong to a much lower order of rugby civilisation. Yet the condescension plumbed new depths in the run-up to yesterday’s encounter only for Ireland to fail once more in Cardiff. Being an Irish rugby player means never having to say you’re sorry. Perhaps this reluctance is because the self-image of Irish rugby is bound up with the idea that it always gets everything right. Things need to change and the biggest service the coach can do his team is tell them everything isn’t actually alright.

Source: Irish Independent February 08, 2021 02:34 UTC