For all the superlatives rightly thrown in the direction of Joe Schmidt’s team the past couple of days, one aspect of Soldier Field has probably still not been fully appreciated.

IT’S 25 years since Ireland entered the RBS Six Nations as reigning champions, and all of 62 years since they defended a Grand Slam.

FORMER Irish out-half Ollie Campbell yesterday praised the timing of Eddie O’Sullivan’s resignation announcement and predicted that Declan Kidney would be the next head Irish coach.