Rob Kearney: 'We still have to improve on a lot of areas if we want to be in with a chance'

What former international Kearney sees still is a squad in the midst of a transitional period, which he is fine with as long as that doesn’t push through into the next calendar year and the fast approaching World Cup in Australia

Dan Sheehan with Tadhg Furlong, left, and Tom O'Toole during squad training. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Rob Kearney leaps on the question like it’s a loose ball before the last words are out. He’s already heard enough to take a stab at where it’s going. All he needed to pounce was mention of Ireland, New Zealand tour and 2012.

“You don’t have to remind me of 2012. The 60-0, was it?” No. That's not what we had in mind.