Irish attitude impresses most after pre-game injuries

Considering how Ireland's Six Nations campaign started back in 2019, their bonus-point start to this campaign, and in particular the opening half of yesterday's 34-10 win against Wales feels like a real statement.

The 80 minutes as a whole was far from perfect, and their ill-discipline and kicking game in the third quarter is something that will be honed in on in the Monday review in Abbotstown.

But the nature in which they silenced the Principality Stadium during the first 40 minutes of Warren Gatland's homecoming was in stark contrast to the paralysis of their defeat to England in Dublin four years ago, when they had seemingly entered a World Cup year with the world at their feet.

In the opening quarter in Cardiff, you could have been forgiven for thinking that Wales were the side who suffered two late injury withdrawals, such was the fluidity in everything Ireland did.

There was immense pressure on the shoulders of Conor Murray. Dropped by Munster just a few weeks ago, some had questioned whether he merited his place on the Irish bench at the Principality. In a way, those people got their wish, with the scrum-half promoted to the starting team after injury to Jamison Gibson-Park on the morning of the game.

With 100 caps of experience to his name, he didn't look one bit flustered, and brought real energy and quick service to the Irish attack when they were dominant in the opening half.

In recent months, Andy Farrell has been at pains to stress how Ireland have to embrace those last minute emergencies, like Johnny Sexton pulling up in the warm-up against Australia in November last year, and Jack Crowley thrust into the deep end of Test rugby.

And the Ireland head coach said there was never any panic when they found out