Ireland’s countdown to the Millennium

Ireland step back into the lion’s den today as they revisit a sold-out Millennium Stadium for the second time in five months, with a closed roof not the only difference between then and now.

Back in March, Joe Schmidt’s team arrived in Cardiff with a Grand Slam in their sights and left shaking their heads in bewilderment after Wales summoned an heroic defensive effort that crushed those hopes of glory.

A Six Nations title would come the following week in Murrayfield and now there are different priorities for both sides five weeks out from the 2015 World Cup.