Irish players take Cup road to redemption

DESPITE battered bodies and bruised egos, it’s back to work for many of the Irish squad.

The Grand Slam dream is over but the Munster and Leinster players must now focus on the Heineken Cup to help heal the wounds. In some cases Lions candidates will use the next big game to salvage damaged reputations.

Paul O’Connell is still a certainty to tour, but he reflected bitterly on a few mistakes that turned Ireland’s season sour in the space of a week.