Just imagine for a second if Ireland had managed to close out that agonising end game against New Zealand last November.

Differing contests in so many ways yet equally compelling.

Three potential areas for Ireland to exploit

Disappointing yes, but not the end of the world.

It’s funny the things you remember.

Quite a week then. I must admit I didn’t see Rob Penney’s departure from Munster coming down the track nor, for that matter, that Ireland would beat Wales by a margin of 23 points.

Three battles Ireland must shade to beat Wales

DONAL LENIHAN: Let’s get this one out of the way early, given that you are going to be subjected to a diatribe of Gattygate over the next five days. I promise not to refer to it again... at least until Monday morning.

Irish Examiner rugby columnist, Donal Lenihan, throws his eyes over the key areas in this afternoon's Six Nations clash with Scotland.

In the ever-changing world of professional rugby, very little can be taken for granted. With just four months left in the European club season, no side can say with any degree of certainty who and in what tournament they will be playing in next season.