Ireland determined to build on positives against Japan

Every day’s a school day. Life. Rugby. Victories. Defeats. Not learning means not growing. They’re familiar refrains. Ireland’s post-match review in the wake of their 40-36 defeat to the USA in Tallaght was as painful, initially, as you’d suspect for a team that led 31-12, only to concede 28 points in jig time.

The how and the why have become focal points in advance of Sunday’s game against Japan at the Dexcom Stadium in Galway, the second of five Tests in the international window. Scott Bemand’s team played some great rugby to dominate the first 55 minutes of the contest only to be then sucked into a vortex of mistakes, and questionable game management, that saw their hopes unspool.