History should teach Ireland to approach Spanish test with care

Ireland have a worse record against Spain than they do against Japan or New Zealand.

SPANISH TEST: Ireland have a worse record against Spain than they do against Japan or New Zealand. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

Last Sunday’s opening Rugby World Cup win against Japan in Northampton leaves Ireland just 80 minutes shy of a quarter-final and the expectation is that they will secure passage from Pool C at the same venue this weekend.

In their way is a Spanish team that, at 13th in the world, is the lowest ranked of four nations that also includes New Zealand so it is only human nature if some of us are tempted to peer ahead to the meeting with the world champions.