Golden generation to go platinum

BACK to square one, with a platinum edge. If Ireland’s golden generation are to score their country’s first victory over New Zealand tomorrow evening, Declan Kidney has decided it will be done with the majority of the side that misfired against South Africa a fortnight ago.

The areas of contention throughout the Irish line-up were plentiful, from front row to full-back, but the head coach has placed his faith in large part in the team that trailed 23-9 to the Springboks after 63 frustrating minutes on the Aviva Stadium’s opening night.

That was before some semblance of order was restored as the replacements’ bench helped Ireland rally to a 23-21 defeat, only a Ronan O’Gara conversion against an upright preventing a barely deserved draw.