Ireland’s fragility in the scrum was evident again against Wales

Ireland’s “to-do” list from Twickenham focused on improved discipline, powering up the maul, addressing the scrum issues and fine-tuning individual responsibilities within the team parameters. There was nothing highfalutin about any of it but like all sport it is the simple things done well that elevates the collective. The initial auguries were positive. The home side won a scrum penalty, got into a lovely attack shape, caused Wales all manner of problems, and their accuracy and speed guaranteed breakdown ball of the express variety on the occasions when a green-shirted ball carrier did not look to offload out of the tackle. Jacob Stockdale’s 20th try for his country on seven minutes was a...