Ireland need more 'breakthroughs' to bolster momentum

The Six Nations is back this weekend. With the normality of full crowds restored, and with Irish expectations climbing back towards their peak, it promises to be a highly enjoyable competition.

When I think back to the most memorable Six Nations moments in the last decade or so, all of them obviously come from the successful tournaments with Ireland competing for the top prize. That's why this weekend is so crucial for this Irish side under Andy Farrell.

We’ve witnessed an opening round loss in 2019 and 2021, it really takes the wind out of the sails. It changes the dynamic of what can be a very special tournament for the Irish squad and supporters.

2019 was probably the worst opening round deflation of them all. Ireland had come off the back of beating the All Blacks for the first time at home, and Eddie Jones stifled Ireland with sheer physicality and a clever kick strategy which really took us to both extremes of the emotional scale. Ireland were on top of the world in the Autumn Series, and already back to being second best after the opening round in February the following calendar year.

Ireland have turned that corner from hope to expectation under Andy Farrell, and to create the moments that the Irish jersey has experienced in the last 10 or 12 years, beating Wales is crucial.

To go to England in round four with everything to play for, that's what this tournament is about. Reliving the moments of Johnny Sexton’s drop-goal versus France, his brace of tries against France in 2014, Robbie Henshaw’s third round try against England in Dublin in 2015, all of these moments are dependent on getting out of the first round with a win.

Tommy Bowe collecting a bouncing kick pass from ROG in 2009 and ROG’s drop-goal are more standout