Bernard Jackman: 'The opposition now fear our defence'

Bernard Jackman believes Ireland's defence is now "feared" across the game, after a dominant start to the Guonness Six Nations on both sides of the ball.

Andy Farrell's side have cruised through their first three games, picking up three bonus-point wins in a row, and scoring an average of 35 points per game against France, Italy and Wales.

But despite their 15-try haul in just three games, the real star has been their defence.

When Wales did eventually force their way over for a penalty try early in the second half of Saturday's 31-7 win at the Aviva Stadium, it marked the first points Ireland had conceded since another penalty try against France in their opening game of the tournament in Marseille.

Around 151 minutes of play separated those two scores, during which time Ireland held Italy scoreless, their first time "nilling" an opponent in this championship since 1987.

With just three tries and a penalty given up so far, Ireland's defence are handing out a measly eight points per game.

And having seen how the defence operates up close, Jackman says it's putting "fear" into the opposition.

"It's an incredibly impressive defence," he told the RTÉ Rugby podcast.

"I was pitchside, and even if Wales got a decent half carry or were on the front foot, within seconds Ireland are perfectly in shape again and it's so hard for Wales to break down.

"Wales looked lost a bit, but I think that was down to the fact that they just couldn't find any weak entry points.

"Together, they've actually created something that's feared. The opposition now fear our defence as much as our attack. I don't think that was the case before.

"I think our defence statistically was good, but there was no fear in it, and I think that’s a very strong place for them to