Plumtree challenges pack to prove ‘greatness’

Ireland forwards coach John Plumtree has laid the gauntlet down this week. Not to Wales, but to his own pack, which he believes has to make the leap from good to great if Joe Schmidt’s side is to realise ambitions to win the Six Nations.

It is a timely challenge, given the imminent arrival in town of Warren Gatland’s Welsh team, one which trades in abrasive physicality, and Plumtree admitted Ireland have to “up the ante” from their display against Scotland last Sunday.

“If you’re going to win this competition, I think the greatest set of forwards is certainly going to contribute to winning it,” said the man whose New Zealand upbringing and years spent in South Africa make him well-qualified on the topic.