When will we ever learn? As in learn not to rush to judgment after just one round. Recall way back in time – well, a mere four weeks ago – when all three Celtic nations lost on the opening day for the first time since 2000. Warnings followed about the championship being on the road to perdition. It was becoming a two-tier affair, with France and England a cut above the rest.
After Ireland had been beaten 36-14 in the Thursday night opener at the Stade de France and Scotland lost 18-15 to Italy in the Stadio Olimpico, what were the odds, one wonders, of the two Celtic rivals being in the title picture when kicking off at the Aviva Stadium next Saturday (kick-off 2.10pm)?
Most likely, no one even considered it a possibility. Coupled with heavy defeats for the Ireland Under-20s against their French counterparts and an even more chastening defeat for an Ireland XV team against England A, the country’s enti
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