Cian Tracey

Yeah, because this might be just the level they're at for now.

Like I said, they're kind of in between cycles.

I know the World Cup is next year and it's going to come around very quickly.

But you never, ever write off a Six Nations campaign and that's not what I'm saying now.

But...

Because I think expectations are not quite... I don't think anyone went into the Six Nations thinking Ireland are going to win it or Ireland are going to win a Grand Slam.

And while, you know, the prize money and all that is really important in terms of where they finish.

But if it meant blooding more players like Edwin Adagbo off the bench against Italy, whatever it is, Cormac Isachukwu starting, and then those guys are going to the World Cup next year, that would be no bad thing either.

But...

It's the road to get there.

You just can't afford to take too many beatings, the manner of the beatings like they did tonight.

You mentioned the Lions there, and again, I don't want to be giving them excuses or a free pass, but I always go back to something that Luke Fitzgerald said on the Left Wing podcast at some stage a few months ago.

he's someone who's been there and done that in terms of the season after a Lions tour and how difficult that is because I think that's an easy line for one of us to throw out when we don't really know what it actually feels like but Luke Fitzgerald was quite strong on that and how difficult it is post a Lions tour that was back when however many Ireland players had on that tour it wasn't the bulk suppliers of the team and even the coaches in terms of like mentally and trying to refresh them so I think that's a big factor in this season as well you know

Three teams in the Challenge Cup now which again is more to where Irish rugby is at right now.

Yeah, it's the biggest challenge, I would say, of his coaching career, bar none, really, isn't it?

Yeah, yeah.

In terms of trying to, you know, rejuvenate this Ireland team, I think he's fully aware that the last time Ireland were here, as we said at the start of the chat, was a golden generation and passed up their opportunity to potentially win a World Cup.

I mean, I know South Africa went on and did it, but who knows if Ireland had gotten over the line, but...

it feels like a long time ago now doesn't it i know it was only back in 23 but it feels like a long time ago ireland just aren't at the top table anymore and that's the reality unfortunately

And it's not just the traveling fans.