Joe Schmidt’s detail will be devilishly difficult to counter but Ireland can still win
This group of Australia players seems to bear a remarkable resemblance to the Leinster squad when Schmidt first arrived in Dublin
Andy Farrell needs to shut out the din of negativity around the Ireland team
Some supporters and critics don’t seem to have learned from the previous highs and lows in our rugby history
Gordon D’Arcy: Ireland doesn’t have a huge rugby-playing population and there are weaknesses with the system
All Blacks’ fresh faces had perhaps a bit more of a point to prove as Ireland failed to reach their normal standards
Gordon D’Arcy: The haka needs to be answered or else it becomes one-sided pageantry
Victory in Chicago proved a watershed moment in the relationship between the sides
Gordon D’Arcy: Munster parting ways with Graham Rowntree is a massive gamble
Timing is everything for departing coaches as well as outhalves arriving on the elite scene for the first time
Gordon D’Arcy: RG Snyman’s skill set a huge addition to Leinster’s game plan
The imposing South African lock has already shown this season he possesses the vision to unlock the creativity of younger team-mates
Munster were arguably the better team for large parts of match against Leinster
Munster were arguably the better team for large parts of the game but accuracy let them down at key scoring moments
Gordon D’Arcy: Leinster prepare to step on the gas against Munster with preseason done and dusted early
Leo Cullen’s strong squad selection last week, a nod to the upcoming back-to-back interpros, suggests a change of tack to that of previous campaigns
Gordon D’Arcy: Ireland’s second Test victory over the Springboks can prove an important springboard
Ireland finished on a high and if ever there was a case for the inclusion of more club players, Ciarán Frawley and James Osborne are it
Gordon D’Arcy: Ireland may lack strength in depth but they are outperforming expectations
Andy Farrell’s squad will look back at the 80 minutes against South Africa and know they gave a credible account of themselves
Gordon D’Arcy: Ireland to expect the unexpected in South Africa
Several players from the strong squad Rassie Erasmus selected have been vocal in their dislike of Ireland
Gordon D’Arcy: Weakness in the system undermines Ireland’s ambitions
Disappointing seasons for Leinster, Munster, Ulster and Connacht highlighted how the Irish system needs to change
Munster and Leinster must deal with knowing they contributed to their own downfall
Both team’s entered last weekend’s semi-finals as favourites but came up short, their opponents deserving winners
Gordon D’Arcy: Leinster’s URC bid can benefit from Sam Prendergast pushing Ross Byrne
Simon Zebo remains crucial to Munster’s chance of retaining their title
Gordon D’Arcy: Munster are on the march again and Jack Crowley is their main man
Leinster’s Ross Byrne has concentrated on existing strengths rather than try to diversify his game