Why Ireland need to get back with Joe Schmidt’s programme

The good news is that the areas of vulnerability last weekend are all fixable, writes Donal Lenihan.

Wed, 08 Feb, 2017 - 00:00

A rugby player, coach and manager during a glittering career with Munster, Ireland and the Lions and now a definitive voice in Irish rugby analysis and commentary.

In recent times the opening weekend of Six Nations action tended to be a little bit turgid. The fear of losing that all important opening game tended to force teams into more of a defensive mindset with the focus on avoiding defeat rather than chasing victory.

Scotland were having none of that and perhaps sensing their moment had come to deliver something spectacular — as it transpired a first opening day tournament win since 2006 — in a six-try thriller that will have left Ireland feeling somewhat cold.