One of my major bugbears, when it comes to modern day sports punditry, is ego. Not in the usual sense, but rather in how pundits, journalists, fans and others refuse to admit when they get it wrong.
One of my major bugbears, when it comes to modern day sports punditry, is ego. Not in the usual sense, but rather in how pundits, journalists, fans and others refuse to admit when they get it wrong.
So, in order to live up to my own standards, here it goes.
I jumped the gun.
The kings are not dead, and Ireland still have a pulse. I have my doubts, but, rumours of their demise have been exaggerated. Greatly? Maybe not. They still dropped a few clangers, but they are not a spent force.
The talent is too strong.
Analysis is about the good and the bad. Any layman can pick out the nice moments, but balance is also crucial in the discussion of top level sport.
Opening night in Paris, a flattering 36-14 defeat, felt like a continuance of a disappointing Autumn. If not for an incorrect forward pass call then Italy could have snatched a draw in Dublin a week later, while Wales just ran out of steam in round four.
It is entirely possible to suggest that Italy and Wales are improved, competitive teams, while also expecting Ireland to find a way over the line that wasn’t a stumble and fall. A 3.3 points per 22 entry against Wales felt offset by just 2.2 vs Italy and 1.7 vs France.
Reasons for attacking improvements in those games do not solely fall on the half-backs, but there was a change in direction.
42-21 winners in Twickenham and a favourable 43-21 final score line against Scotland is more than palatable. These performances were close to complete from Ireland, led by their biggest stars - Doris, Beirne, Gibson-Park etc.
In both games, Ireland were ruthless. 4.7 points per 22 entry against Scotland, 4.3 against England; with 9 entries in both games. Attacking proficiency mixed with an aggressive intensity needed to come good in big games.
Had Ireland reached those levels in 2025 or in Paris, then they might have an extra championship or two and would be building nicely for a World Cup tilt.
If I have to swallow my pride above, then I must be given the scope to revel in the facets in which I was proven right. After years of banging on the same drum, not always to the same tune; it was proven that Irish rugby does have good depth waiting in the wings.
Look at who rose to the mantle this year. Stuart McCloskey (33) and Robert Baloucoune (28). Further afield, some of the highest ranked players in our weekly ratings were Cormac Izuchukwu, Darragh Murray, Nathan Doak, Bundee Aki, Edwin Edogbo, Cian Prendergast and Tom O’Toole.
Play them, especially in the summer, and reap the rewards in 2027 and beyond.
Best Player: Stuart McCloskey
Best Newcomer: Robert Baloucoune
Best Supporting Actor: Jack Crowley
Best Team Performance: Round 5 vs Scotland
Best Individual Performance: Jamison Gibson-Park, Round 3 vs England
Best Coach: Paul O’Connell (Lineout)