The 1998 Five Nations campaign had long been consigned to the dark history of Irish rugby before 2000 until yesterday when the class of 2021 dredged up a bad memory by becoming the first Irish team since that season to lose their first two championship matches.
Donal Lenihan: Ireland s focus must now shift from silverware to planning for the future
Craig Casey should now come under serious consideration to start against Italy, as should Harry Byrne
Craig Casey failed to win his first cap off the bench but should now come under serious consideration to start against Italy. Picture: INPHO/Dan Sheridan
Mon, 15 Feb, 2021 - 07:05
Miracles do happen in sport but, unfortunately, not as often as we would like. If there were points available in this championship for pride of performance and unrelenting commitment in the face of adversity, Ireland would be top of the table.
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At No 10, Burns has a reputation for playing a running game and at Ulster he defers much of the tactical stuff to Cooney. On the bench, Ross Byrne is probably the more strategically-minded of Ireland’s remaining No 10s but it is the Bath-born man who is tasked with running the game.
The causes for concern don’t stop at half-back.
Like Sexton, James Ryan has not come through the return to play protocols after his head injury and thus the captain and vice-captain are out. Peter O’Mahony, another former skipper, is banned after his red card last week while Caelan Doris is another guaranteed starter who has been sidelined with head issues.