Childhood cancer is very rare — but not as rare as it used to be.

Last month’s establishment of a commission to consider if the grim prospect of super-sized pylons strung across our attractive countryside might be averted by burying 440kV power lines seemed as good a kick to touch as anything contrived by the splendid Johnny Sexton at the Aviva stadium on Saturday.

Burying Eirgrid’s controversial high-voltage powerlines would cost around €4 a year per person, according to an expert who insists this would be the best course of action.

A review of studies into how high-voltage cables, and pylons, affect people’s health released by the European Commission was lambasted by an expert in the field who said it omitted important new studies.