Ross quick to refocus after loss that taxed mind and body

Mike Ross may have felt like he was “sucking in passing seagulls” at Twickenham but he believes Ireland have to move past their lung-bursting defeat to England and focus on rebounding against Italy.

The Ireland tighthead prop will report for a mini-camp in Belfast tomorrow believing his side played better losing 13-10 to England last Saturday than they managed in trouncing Wales 28-6 a fortnight earlier and that the visit of the Italians to the Aviva Stadium in 11 days can see the men in green keep their Six Nations title bid on track.

“We are getting better every week and that probably was a better performance than two weeks ago but it just wasn’t quite enough, so as long as we can keep improving on the small things and keep growing as a team we will do well,” Ross said.