Short-term pain well worth it

THIS is a time to accentuate the positives and from an Irish perspective there were plenty of those to cling to despite a second defeat in a row for a team struggling to find its feet with the World Cup looming.

Declan Kidney is prepared to suffer some short-term pain in the hope that Ireland’s ambitious programme of games against quality opposition will pay dividends in New Zealand next month.

Phase one of Kidney’s plan has been completed, with 33 players having experienced game time in the outings against Scotland and France.