‘Wales are like a dog with a bone’

Looking after number one sometimes does have wider benefits as Leinster, and now Ireland, may appreciate with Fergus McFadden’s return to form this season.

It is evident from McFadden’s performances for his province of late that the 31-year-old is playing with renewed confidence in his abilities on either side of the ball and from the knowledge he has gained about protecting his body now he has become a 30-something.

Two years after receiving his 32nd Test cap against Scotland in the final game of the 2016 Six Nations, McFadden had done enough to regain his place in Joe Schmidt’s Ireland squad for this season’s championship and he vindicated the faith shown in him by making a short but valuable contribution to the 41-phase drive to glory in the opening game against France as victory was snatched from the prospect of another Parisian defeat by Johnny Sexton’s drop goal.