Well, at least Ireland’s new management team has a very clear picture of the enormity of the task facing them in their new roles.

Australian sport is going through a rough time at present, something an ultra-competitive, sports-mad nation is finding difficult to come to terms with.

On the face of it, a record win over a side positioned about us on the IRB rankings, scoring five tries in the process, should provide the perfect launchpad for any new national coach.

The things Ireland need to prove in this autumn series

Even for a coach as experienced as Joe Schmidt, international rugby represents a whole new canvass for the affable New Zealander.

The battle for control of the European game took a worrying twist last week. Entering the City Hall for Ronan O’Gara’s testimonial on Thursday night, I was made aware of the statement issued on behalf of independent mediators, Graeme Mew and Stephen Drymer, after two days of deliberations in Dublin.

It shows just how competitive the Heineken Cup have become that after the opening two rounds, only three of the 24 teams have managed back-to-back wins. The good news from an Irish perspective is that, along with Toulouse, the other two are Leinster and Ulster, whose outstanding 8-25 win over joint Top 14 leaders Montpellier at the Stade Yevs du Manoir has set them up for greater things.

ON THE face of it, an outstanding weekend for the Irish in Europe. However, while Ulster in particular, Leinster and Connacht have every reason to reflect with satisfaction on their performances, one feels that despite Munster’s 16 point win over Gloucester, nobody within the camp will be getting too carried away with this latest showing.

What a terrible pity Connacht couldn’t come good in that last-ditch siege on the Saracens line in their opening Heineken Cup pool game at the Sportsground last Friday night.

Never before has the old adage that you’re only as good as you’re next game felt so apt.