Munster need direct, physical approach to stop Harlequins

Irish players must take responsibility against Saracens

I am finding it increasingly difficult to get my head around the player welfare programme and the current state of the provinces.

LESS than an hour after Ireland had succumbed to a very average Scotland side in this year’s Six Nations in Murrayfield, Warren Gatland — present to run the rule over potential Lions — noticed a familiar gathering of IRFU officials in a corner of the hospitality room.

The Irish players aren’t the only ones glad to see the back of this season’s Six Nations.

Having led Wales by 27 points at one stage in the cauldron of the Millennium Stadium, Ireland must have looked on from their hotel in Rome on Saturday as Gethin Jenkins and Ryan Jones lifted the Six Nations trophy and wondered what might have been.

I have become extremely wary of Irish performances in the second of back-to-back internationals and the fact that today’s outing is against Italy offers no significant comfort.

There has been times over his decorated coaching career that Declan Kidney has been characterised as a lucky general.

Coming into Saturday’s Six Nations face-off at the Aviva Stadium, it was always going to be a case of who blinked first.

Three key areas of confrontation at the Aviva today