As usual, Gibson-Park enjoys life in top gear

IT’S more than a little sobering to think that Ireland’s win over Wales yesterday was probably their “iffy” performance of their 2024 Six Nations.

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There was never any danger of Andy Farrell’s team losing but despite sprinting out the blocks with attacking intent they never quite cut loose and at one stage it seemed that brave Wales defence would deny Ireland the try bonus which is normally their right.

An injury time try by the ever present Tadhg Beirne did eventually secure the bonus point for Ireland and spark the capacity crowd into life, hitherto they had been a little quiet. It clearly takes a lot to impress them these days and frankly they would not consider a 31-7 win over Wales anything more than routine even if in the previous two games Wales had lost by a combined aggregate of three points against Scotland and England.

If yesterday in Dublin demonstrated anything it is how momentum can build over a period of years and become almost impossible to resist. Momentum becomes a weapon in its own right.

Yesterday was Ireland’s 18th straight win in all internationals at the Aviva and their 39th victory in the last 41 Tests in Dublin. Only England in 2019 – with arguably the best display of the Eddie Jones era – and France two years later have emerged from the Aviva with a win during that period.

Ireland start every game expecting to win, the home crowd expected a night of celebration rather than commiseration and the visitors expect 80 minutes of hurt and misery. The momentum builds and it all becomes a little predictable and from the comfort and safety of the sidelines it seems the only way to counter this is to come up with something unexpected and off script to change the narrative. Much easier said than done.