Milestone win on the road the next box to tick on Ireland's journey

The next step in Ireland's progression remains securing a signature victory away from home comforts

Johnny Sexton and Kieran Treadwell during Ireland Rugby Captain's Run, Twickenham

A bristling England on home turf at fortress Twickenham this afternoon represents a significant stopping off point for Andy Farrell’s Ireland on the road to next year’s World Cup.

Whether or not it becomes an opportunity to keep pace with Guinness Six Nations frontrunners France, whose Grand Slam bid was on the line in Cardiff last night, is almost a moot point. Given the bigger picture at play for the trajectory of this team’s development under Farrell it is clear that following on from their round-two defeat in Paris, the next step in their progression remains securing a signature victory away from home comforts.