Defensive frailties cost sloppy Ireland dear

The three key areas where the game was won and lost

DEFENSIVELY Ireland knew what was coming at Wellington’s Cake Tin but were powerless to deal with it.

The rush defence that Shaun Edwards favours strangled Ireland at source and killed any chance of generating momentum. What they also did was single out back rows Sean O’Brien and Stephen Ferris as the key ball carriers, and never allowed them to get over the gain line.