Mixed news for Ireland as Leinster count toll of Munster win

My preference at this point would be Les Kiss to step up. Jason Gilmore I had not thought of till reading your article, Nick. Michael Cheika has been there before, I would not be stepping back there. Dan McKellar I personally don't rate highly, and he has the Leicester failure hanging over him. Andy friend is worth considering after his stint with Connacht.

A good run against the Lions might see Schmidt tempted to have a crack at the next RWC. one would think RA would be keen to retain him. A poor Lions series, and Schmidt himself may say goodbye, or RA not decide to move on.

It would be great to see Leigh Halfpenny, one of the most solid 15's in the world in his time, go out on a really high note. And what a pleasure for him to be playing in tandem with Marcus Smith. As always, Nick, I really enjoy your analysis.

The sole criterion is an "outstanding contribution to rugby". Current inductees include a high school, at least two rugby clubs, at least three international rugby teams, and a series (The Varsity Match). Also Nelson Mandela.

So, forget the current Boks. My nominees for the World Rugby Hall of Fame are 1. The barman in Toners of Lower Baggot St, 2. Ellis Park Stadium, and 3. The rolling maul.

I watched the highlights of this game and never noticed how useful Halfpenny was in D!

Yes, not undeveloped, more unrealized. What is it's potential? I studied some viewership numbers quite a bit after the RWC and I didn't get the impression their was only a fraction of the population that follows the national team. A fraction in my language would not mean you're trying to say a 'small' amount. A see a nation like Australia as being very similar but without that domestic league angle. Their crowds will fluctuate widely for the Wallabies, but for them, the national game can still outstrip the support for the highest participation local competitions. I agree that keys to unlocking eyes and spreading the game in France is an increased importance on the national teams results, and real meaning to those results, that can compete to the importance of the local game for fans. I think that's a give in. That must be hard when no other location the team visits speaks French though. I know for the All Blacks when they go away the goal is always continueing to exert dominance in the sport, to continue the amazing record and story. I could easily see the relevance in eoyt's fading for NZ if that was no longer a thing.

What I would also suggest would need to happen before I could envisage change to this current situation is not continueing to dilute the product by having too much of it. That, at least, is a big one in the sports that I know who want to realise their potential. Perhaps for rugby in France the opposite is true and it will lose fans if soccer is seen to have more 'content'?

Though to be fair I wasn't trying to mock Italy, just their 6N opposition, so as their captain and vice captain are great people, they'll probably let it slide ;)

Do you think Ireland have what it takes to send their big dogs to Chicago Terry? Or do you think others will just say the same thing as you and that the All Blacks are 'below them'🧏

You might fool Ed..

Correction to using NB's profile, I think that can double up the URL/article name if the comment isn't visible (not require you to add anything, you need to actually remove some in this circumstance).