LOSS CAN HELP IRELAND TO WIN

IRELAND’S travails against England in the Six Nations could have benefits, claims Stuart Lancaster.

But the ex-red Rose boss believes his home nation are where they should be as they top the championship table after two rounds.

Lancaster said: “Ireland will be disappointed to lose the first game, they certainly had their moments. I don’t think it was as black and white as people made out, it wasn’t one-way traffic.”

But he added: “In some ways you learn a lot more from when you lose. It’s painful but Ireland will benefit in the long run. A good win in Scotland and Ireland now have got to go to Italy and come away with five points and stay in the game.

“They’ll go to Wales, potentially, with things still to be decided. That’ll make it a very tricky game for Wales.”