Irish TDs quell Home Nations

THE defence may have crumbled at Lansdowne Road, but one squad took on everything that England, Scotland and Wales could collectively throw at them — and still managed to send them packing.

The Oireachtas rugby team may be better known for their verbal tackles than the physical variety but when it came to putting on a show yesterday, it could have been backbench or back row the same enthusiasm applied to getting into the thick of things.

There was one difference though. Words, no matter how pointed, aren't supposed to hurt but larger opponents leave their mark on more than the ego.