It’s somewhat ironic that at a time when rugby is enjoying an unprecedented level of popularity in this country, with the national team ranked in the top two sides in the world, the game itself faces massive challenges.

“Wouldn’t it be great if it was like this all the time?”

Donal Lenihan looks at three areas Ireland need to master to win the series in Australia.

This delicately poised Test series in Australia represents the best possible preparation Ireland could have hoped for a year out from the World Cup, writes Donal Lenihan.

It is the exhaustive work required to secure those points, with tries even harder to come by, that leave Ireland exposed, says Donal Lenihan.

Three key areas Ireland need to address to keep series alive, writes Donal Lenihan

Kieran Marmion’s disallowed try right at the death marked a frustrating end to a frustrating day for Ireland in Brisbane.

This group of Irish players has made a habit of rewriting history over the course of the last few seasons, whether it has been beating New Zealand for the first time or recording a rare Grand Slam as they did in Twickenham back in March.

In a season that keeps on giving for Irish rugby, a series win against a major southern hemisphere superpower for the first time since 1979 would offer the perfect ending.