Paul O’Connell laments lack of discipline

Paul O’Connell did not need more than 100 appearances in an Ireland jersey to know his team “does not stand a chance” against the World Cup big guns if they cannot clean up their act after a poor showing against Wales.

The Ireland captain is a reluctant hero at the best of times but taking the applause after his final Test on home soil at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday left him squirming more than a little as it followed a deeply disappointing performance.

Ireland have one game left before the World Cup in which to eradicate the disciplinary and accuracy issues which saw them concede 15 penalties to the Welsh in a deserved 16-10 defeat at the weekend and the fact that it will come this Saturday against England at Twickenham makes the need to improve all the more acute.