IT’S back to the Guinness Six Nations this weekend with Ireland hotly tipped to march on in their quest for another victory.
For temporary coach Simon Easterby, everything is falling into plan with wins over England and Scotland and the bookies could soon be refusing bets on the Irish recording Grand Slam number three.
It is fair to say that Welsh rugby is going through a tough time at present and the loss of coach Warren Gatland has added to their woes.
Their club sides have been providing target practice for the opposition in the URC of late and it will be interesting to see if the national side can summon up enough Welsh passion on the field as they do when singing their national anthem in Cardiff on Saturday (2.15pm).
There is not much one can say about the Irish side at present. What you see is what you get with strength and power in the pack, a half back choice between tens, Sam Prendergast and Jack Crowley, and a defence that has continually proved itself when needed.
Easterby, who played in two RWCs in 2003 and in 2007 and who has won 65 caps for Ireland between 2000 and 2008, is fitting in well in the absence of Andy Farrell and it would be a major shock if there was the upset of the season in round three of this championship.
Simon has Welsh blood in his veins. He played in Wales, he coached in Wales, and his family live in Wales, but his name is unlikely to be mentioned to fill the vacancy in the Welsh set-up.
His brother, Guy, who won 28 Irish caps, is now head of rugby matters at Leinster Rugby
Munster may be wondering why their home games in Thomond Park have dropped in numbers at the ticket stiles. Last Saturday night the attendance was in the region of 13,500, a far cry from recent seasons.
Don’t blame the players, they continue to deliver the home victories, the bonus points and the entertainment and this was another decent performance by the homesters against Scarlets.
