Time for Woody to talk the talk as well

For years now, it’s been one of the mantras of this column that there’s more in the Irish international rugby sides than they’ve been producing. Their courage wasn’t questioned, nor their effort, not even in the bad years.

What was criticised, time and again, was the lack of belief, and on more than one occasion, the Irish captain was challenged here on the grounds of statements he was making before big games. Caution, he was preaching, always caution, temperance in our ambitions. I know where he’s coming from, I understand all those deeply ingrained Irish fears. But I’ve never agreed with it.