Ronan Kelleher dismisses hangover theory as Ireland look to move on from Chicago

Ronan Kelleher says Ireland’s Chicago collapse was self-inflicted, rejecting the idea of a Lions hangover and calling for better execution ahead of facing Japan.

Ronan Kelleher rejected suggestions that Ireland's lineout should be stripped of its more complex elements. Pic: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Talk of a perceived British and Irish Lions hangover won’t quieten on the back of last Saturday’s effort in Soldier Field. Fourteen of the Ireland players who featured in Chicago had toured Australia over the summer.

That the team disappointed last weekend is obvious. Why it happened involves more debate. Was it a continuation of a gradual slip in standards? Or was it a rustiness occasioned by those Lions duties and the lack of game time those players had in the weeks since?