If preparation is the key that underpins success, it is hardly surprising that the Ireland Under-21 team found it a mite difficult after enduring 10 hours of travel on the day before they were due to meet France in the underage Test last weekend. They set off for Cognac on the Friday morning and did not arrive at their destination until 8.0 p.m. that night.

The players did not eat until 10.0 p.m., hardly ideal circumstances with a 2.30 p.m. kickoff the following day. Ireland's performance was `surprisingly' flat as they went down 51-24. One suspects that their preparation will be improved when they take on Wales at Thomond Park on Friday night (7.30).

Quite why the A and under-21 matches can not be played at the same venue and in the process treat the Irish rugby public with some consideration remains unclear. Would it not have been possible this weekend to play the A and under-21 games at Thomond Park or would that be cutting across a committee dinner?