5 things we learned

Changes bode well

THIS November mid-World Cup cycle bodes better for Japan 2019 than 2013’s did. Thirty-eight players were used this month, 32 as starters, and no player started all three games. Four years ago, 29 players played, 22 as starters, and eight players started all three matches.

Rob remains the real deal

ROB KEARNEY’S status as firstchoice full-back was reinforced by reliably minding the house this month. Thirty-two next March, there were doubts due to an injury limiting him to just nine Ireland starts in 20 games since the World Cup. However, he is still the real deal, protecting Ireland’s inexperienced three-quarters.

Farrell earns some kudos

IRELAND came into the series having used 22 different midfield partnerships in Joe Schmidt’s 47 matches. That figure has now moved on to 25 in 50 outings. It’s a ridiculous turnover in personnel, but the efforts of Chris Farrell against the Pumas earned him kudos after last week’s iffy debut.

A defining discipline

IRELAND scaled the heights last November with remarkable levels of discipline, just 11 penalties conceded in three matches against southern hemisphere opposition (three versus Australia, and two fours against New Zealand). Yesterday, that count was only six (just one in the first half), down from eight against the Boks.

Bridging the great divide

SO much for the great north-south divide that existed when the latter took up all four World Cup semifinal slots at the 2015 World Cup. Europe’s big five have since won 21 of 40 cross-hemisphere encounters against the south’s big four, England winning all 10 and Ireland now five from their eight.