When enough is enough: How much more can Irish players take?

With just two rounds of Six Nations action to go, it’s time to take stock. To date, I have seen Ireland live in all three contests; England, Wales, and France twice each in the flesh, and Italy once.

From a purist’s perspective, I have enjoyed all five contests attended, but I can fully understand the view being expressed by a wide section of rugby supporters that, in the wake of the recent World Cup, this season’s Six Nations championship has been turgid, uninspiring, and short on class. Alas, last season’s tournament-defining final day of spectacular running and continuity on Super Saturday is but a distant memory.

The fact that a clean sweep of southern hemisphere sides occupied all semi-final slots at last autumn’s World Cup served to highlight once again the different approaches to the way rugby is contested in this part of the world.