Bernard Jackman: Cause for concern for Ireland as loss to New Zealand shows real need for rebuild
Increasing our depth of young props must be a priority for Andy Farrell and his coaching team
Connacht man Finlay Bealham had to put in a shift and a half at the Aviva Stadium defeat to New Zealand on Friday. Photo: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Victor Vito is All Black number 1,103 and the double World Cup-winning back-row was in Dublin to support his team.
I was lucky enough to get to spend a bit of time with him on Friday as he and the legendary Conrad Smith (1,044) took part in a Q&A at Wanderers RFC on the Merrion Road. Neither player had ever lost to Ireland, but having friends still playing or coaching the current side, they could sympathise with the pressure they were under to back up the World Cup win over Andy Farrell’s men and try to get a clean sweep of victories in what is their end-of-season tour.
