The second coming of Michael Bent

Ireland’s teamsheet in Cardiff last Saturday held within it no shortage of heart-warming subplots.

Keith Earls and Donnacha Ryan both pulled on green jerseys for the first time in over two years, Andrew Trimble did likewise after a 14-month hiatus and Chris Henry traced similar steps back after his heart scare and surgery last November.

Michael Bent had no injuries holding him back from international duty, but the sight of the Kiwi-born prop running onto the Millennium Stadium turf after an hour against Wales was no less notable given the road he had to travel.