D’Arcy will be ‘marked man’

Barry Coughlan

D’Arcy has been restricted by injury to a solitary international appearance since the 2004 Six Nations but many worry that the pressure is on to prove his blistering form was not just a one-off. His centre partner warned: “It’s going to be a new challenge for Gordon this time. The players who have completed a full Six Nations season and have done well are going to be watched,” he said.

“I don’t buy into this second season syndrome. I know Darce too well, he wants it too much after missing out on part of the summer tour and on all of the autumn internationals. He is ready to go. Maybe we shouldn’t expect the miracles of last year so much but what you see is what you’ll get from him.