Ireland forwards coach John Plumtree will stand down after the forthcoming tour of Argentina, the Irish Rugby Football Union has confirmed.

As is so often the case, it is a simple plan that has brought Ireland to the brink of a Six Nations title.

Do not mention the ‘R’ word in the Ireland camp this week. With a Six Nations championship at stake over the final two games of the campaign and plenty to prove in the wake of a Grand Slam-robbing defeat to England at Twickenham last time out, rotation is the last thing on anybody’s mind as Joe Schmidt’s squad prepares to greet Italy in Dublin on Saturday.

Johnny Sexton will face the “true test” of fitness on his thumb ligament problem in Ireland’s training session on Thursday, according to John Plumtree.

Stuart Lancaster labelled Ireland the “most complete side” in the Six Nations’ most complete side ahead of their visit to Twickenham on Saturday week.

Ireland forwards coach John Plumtree has laid the gauntlet down this week. Not to Wales, but to his own pack, which he believes has to make the leap from good to great if Joe Schmidt’s side is to realise ambitions to win the Six Nations.

Ireland’s hopes of spoiling New Zealand’s perfect season could be decided tomorrow — 24 hours before the sides are due to clash at the Aviva Stadium.

Forget the poor reviews that follow the Australian pack whenever they play, Ireland will have to up their game at scrum-time when they lock horns with the Wallabies on Saturday, warns Irish forwards coach John Plumtree.

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

Paul O’Connell will be available to face Samoa on Saturday but doubts remains over the lock’s ability to last the 80 minutes of his first Ireland Test in 19 months.

Joe Schmidt has chosen New Zealander John Plumtree as the man to take charge of Ireland’s forwards and the 48-year-old will join the Irish coaching set-up next month.

Ireland have appointed John Plumtree as their new forwards coach, the Irish Rugby Football Union has announced.

The 2009 British and Irish Lions have been described as “better organised and better managed” than their immediate predecessors four years ago in New Zealand.

The British and Irish Lions are sweating on the fitness of one of their potential Test stars only 11 days before tackling world champions South Africa.

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