Wales have the attributes to turn an Irish strength into a potential weakness. Here are the three key areas of combat. 

In sport it’s always about the next game. 

Sunday’s magnificent win over England ensures Ireland will now have two bites at retaining their Six Nations championship title won in dramatic circumstances in Paris last year. 

In the context of where Irish rugby is heading over the next nine months, this Six Nations triumph was a hugely significant result, writes Donal Linehan.

THE DONAL LENIHAN INTERVIEW

England won’t lack for confidence when they arrive in the Aviva Stadium tomorrow, says Donal Lenihan.

We used to have a call amongst the forwards long ago, in the heat of an international battle, when we needed to slow the pace down a bit, says Donal Lenihan.

After only two rounds of action, this year’s Six Nations championship has already taken on the appearance of a two-horse race — notwithstanding Wales’ right to dispute that.

England appear to have stumbled on the missing ingredient of a cutting edge that has eluded them for years.

GAMES Against Italy tend to go exactly to type, especially when you play them in Rome. Always dogged and difficult to break down, they excel in dragging teams down to their level.