Hard-hitting Ringrose defence product of hard work

Garry Ringrose's shuddering tackle on Dan Biggar was one of the big talking points in the days since Ireland’s opening Guinness Six Nations win over Wales.

The centre didn’t get on the scoresheet and could even afford to miss four tackles but his second-half hit on the Welsh out-half seemed to shake the entire Principality Stadium, as if everyone in the crowd felt it.

Ringrose has been steadily honing the defensive side of his game to compliment his admirable skills on the ball. It’s something, he stresses, that has to be constantly worked on in order to fit into Andy Farrell’s game plan.

"I suppose I try and consciously work on it every day in some way, at Leinster and continue it on in here," said the 28-year-old.

"I touch base with the coaches and look for advice on that front and review instances in the game because I probably still miss a few tackles that I ideally don’t want to.

"So it is a constant work in progress and in training you’re not full-on contact but you are in a 'could have’ mentality and you build on that.

"The windows before and after training when lads are on the pads you can do a bit more full-on.

"I guess I do enjoy that part of the game, as I said, I still miss plenty of tackles, so it's always challenging myself to get better, but I suppose when you physically impose yourself or get involved in something.

"There is no venom against the opposition, but I guess it's an opportunity when you don't have the ball to show how much it means to you.

"We would all be encouraged to do that defensively, so yeah for me, it's about trying to get the technique [right] and miss as little tackles as possible, but then with the tackles you are making, it's to have as big an impact as possible is always the goal.

"I think