Ireland must stop the rot by bashing Boks — D’Arcy

Ireland centre Gordon D’Arcy has conceded this evening’s clash with South Africa is a must-win game in the wake of four Test defeats in a row.

Ireland’s last victory came with a home Six Nations win over Scotland and the losing streak began with a St Patrick’s Day mauling by England at Twickenham. A three-Test whitewash by the world champion All Blacks followed, ending with a record 60-0 defeat in the final rubber in June.

Another defeat would make it Ireland’s worst run of form since losing seven in a row back in 1997-98 and with vital world ranking points on the line ahead of the World Cup 2015 pool draw on December 3, D’Arcy, who will win his 70th cap tonight, agreed the losing streak had to end now.