Mike Catt: Consistency and adaptability crucial to success down the road

Victory on Saturday over the Wallabies would be the first time since England in 2002 and 2003 that a team will have claimed wins over all three Southern Hemisphere superpowers in a calendar year

CALM ATMOSPHERE: Assistant coach Mike Catt and Jack Crowley during the Ireland captain's run at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Ireland have been urged to be more adaptable if they are to be considers as contenders for next year’s World Cup, starting on Saturday night against Australia.

That was attack coach Mike Catt’s warning to his players as they finalise preparations for their final Test match of 2022 at a sold-out Aviva Stadium. Ireland have regained the number one spot in the World Rugby rankings this year having won the Six Nations Triple Crown and claimed a historic series win over the All Blacks in New Zealand, and have added the scalp of world champions South Africa already during this Autumn Nations Series on home turf.