SIMON EASTERBY acknowledged that the end of the Six Nations has felt like an anti-climax.
He said: “I think when you lose the second-last game, it probably feels that way but if you lose the first game and you win the next four, it feels different.”
His Six Nations campaign in interim charge saw Ireland lost only one game and secure the Triple Crown for just the 14th occasion in history.
But they also finished third when the target seven weeks ago was a never done before third Championship in a row.
Easterby highlighted how momentum changes perception and Ireland lost it as this Championship went on.
England were soundly beaten as were Scotland before Wales was tighter than it should have been and Ireland were spanked by France.
Saturday’s win in Rome over Italy summed it up. A bonus point was secured against a team Ireland have lost to just once – yet the game was in the balance up until the last kick.
Most worryingly, it looks like a team that is past their peak, or certainly not hitting the form that made them the team to beat over the past two years.
It is an old team with 12 of the 23 involved against Italy over 30, but that is also because the 20 somethings who should be retiring the old stagers have not dislodged them.
Peter O’Mahony, Cian Healy and Conor Murray have now played their final games but who fills the void left by the departure of 372 caps remains to be seen.
O’Mahony’s obvious heir is 25-year-old Ryan Baird, but he started just one game and was not even on the bench in Rome.
Below that, the talent pool is hit and miss. Ireland’s Under-20s finished with the wooden spoon, while Ireland A were soundly beaten by England three weeks ago.
The summer tour of Georgia and Portugal – when Easterby will again be in charge with Andy Farrell in charge of the Lions – will be crucial to see who can step up.
Easterby said: “I think that’s the challenge, that we are continually looking for those players to fill the void.
“There’s players retiring every year almost, although not every year do you lose three guys who’ve got well over 100 caps.
“So I think that process has started and it’s a continuation of working with them in the provinces, how well they go in the provincial game in the latter end of the season now, looking forward to URC quarters, semis, Europe as well.
“So I think there’s plenty we can be excited about in around the groups that we’ve seen in Emerging Ireland, the A game and then obviously the players that have come through more recently in this team.”
The squad that tours this summer will be different anyway as Farrell will select some Ireland players for the Lions, though potentially fewer than anticipated after this Championship.
But Easterby also admitted that he will experiment anyway.
SUMMER FOCUS
He added: “You might not take certain older players that maybe need a rest. I think it’s a chance to really expose as many players that we feel are still in the system but probably haven’t had the opportunity at the senior level.
“I think it’ll be about finding out about certain positions that we feel we need more depth in.
“But also keep continually trying to keep exposing certain players that are already in the system, that have already played part in the Six Nations.
“The tough thing about international rugby is that you get limited time to gain caps and experience.
“Hence why we probably picked someone like Jack Boyle (against Italy) off the bench and Gus McCarthy as well. Two guys who have done really well in the system.
“You’re limited to picking them for senior games and we want to try and do that as much as we can, to expose and build depth where we can.”
And getting them up to speed is required quickly. Because Easterby knows Farrell will be back and the clashes with New Zealand, Australia and South Africa will come around fast.
He said: “I think the team is having to continually evolve. If you don’t, then you end up getting caught and bypassed by other teams.
“There will definitely be an element of wanting to hit the ground running in November when we’ve got to go to Chicago.”
