Ireland must learn to turn possession into points against top-table teams

Rónan Kelleher is tackled by Mako Vunipola, left, and Sam Underhill of England. Photo by Matt Impey/Sportsfile

Three days on from Ireland’s 18-7 Autumn Nations Cup defeat to England at Twickenham, the victors are being praised over there for a defensive performance for the ages while over here, a fourth straight reverse against the English is being viewed as a sign the Irish rugby apocalypse is nigh.

Yet in many ways, the manner of defeat at the weekend should have come as no surprise. Once Eddie Jones picked the strongest starting line-up available to him Ireland were up against it with the experimental side selected by Andy Farrell, ceding a 725 (England) to 433 cap differential.