Green shoots of recovery

Canada 14 Ireland 40

But when Les Kiss hands over the international reins to Joe Schmidt in July — officially, at least — the incoming Ireland coach will inherit a happy camp and an ambitious crop of young players.

A 40-14 victory over Canada will never make up for the Six Nations debacle but the manner of this win — digging in and then sprinting away during an impressive second half dismantling of the Canadians — pleased the interim coach and will provide Schmidt with an extensive dossier of the players available to him as he begins his tenure.