Tadhg Beirne: Series win over New Zealand sets Ireland up nicely

Ireland are leaning on the lessons learned in that successful southern hemisphere jaunt ahead of another meeting with the All Blacks, this time in the last eight of the World Cup

SOAKING IT IN: Ireland players Tadhg Beirne, left, and Andrew Porter celebrate after their side's victory over Scotland at the Stade de France. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Go back 15 months and Johnny Sexton was in Wellington and explaining how Ireland’s loss to France in Paris earlier in 2022 had prepared them for the upcoming third and deciding Test of their summer tour to New Zealand. Now, here they are back in the French capital and leaning on the lessons learned in that successful southern hemisphere jaunt ahead of another meeting with the All Blacks, this time in the last eight of the World Cup.

If this does turn out to be the most virtuous of circles then it's hardly surprising because the constant repetition of so many good habits by talented players is taking them into unchartered territory.