World-weary Wallabies watching Ireland with envy

Eddie Jones was the one Australian everyone wanted to hear from after Ireland dispensed with his England side so seamlessly at Twickenham last week, but it would have been interesting to mine the thoughts of his compatriot Michael Cheika, who was among the 82,062 souls looking on from the stands, writes Brendan O’Brien.

What must he have thought as he soaked up the Irish effort?

Jonathan Sexton has already waxed lyrical this week about the edge that the IRFU’s player welfare system offers Joe Schmidt’s side. He has no doubt the extra duties England’s players have clocked up in the wake of a Lions tour played a major part in allowing Ireland secure a Grand Slam.