Ireland prospects blacker than black
Just nine months on from that all-enveloping desire to capture only their second ever World Cup, it is clear that last October’s triumph has already been parked and consigned to the history books.
England struggled badly to cope with the mantle of world champions after their success in 2003 while South Africa — despite theirseries win over the Lions in 2009 — also stumbled and stuttered for long periods after their triumph in France four years later. Just one game into their reign, one senses New Zealand will only build on their coronation. It helps when the conveyor belt is full of promising young talent and New Zealand management teams have never been shy to promote youth.
