There’s not a player in Irish rugby akin to Zebo and his case should stand on its own merits

Leinster will prove a different challenge as they know how to flick the switch

Champions Cup new boys showed what they are made of in opener and will be a real test

Irish tighthead proved a force multiplier in the victory over Munster and can do so again

Implementing a structure for the sake of it is not enough – we need to develop skills

He will be missed by many – his family, Garryowen, and his old army rugby team-mates

Being on the fringes of the school panel can mean students play precious little rugby

Key to victory lies in battle of opensides

Ireland players can improve Lions chances by overcoming Welsh rivals in Pro12 semi-finals

Ireland can’t compete with these European heavyweights on money but we can on resources

Ospreys and Wales scrumhalf not restricted by the consistent use of pre-ordained plays

Leinster and Munster needed the ‘OODA Loop’: Observe-Orientate-Decide-Act

Match up of Lions Maro Itoje and Peter O’Mahony worth the match ticket alone

Fantastic experience as panel of 28 young lads experience a memorable trip to Portugal

Leinster frontrower showed the ambition Ireland need if they are to dominate

Munster must keep ball alive to fatigue a huge Toulouse pack

If we want to compete with All Blacks we need to practise attacking off turnover ball

Peter O’Mahony a key figure, but all were phenomenal, including the Aviva crowd

Joe Schmidt’s side must play smart to disrupt England’s impressive recycle speed

Schmidt needs to look at players and tactics against harder opposition than Wales

Ireland must test the Welsh non-pushing up defensive side and keep penalty count down

Conor O’Shea is being hailed as a genius but all he did was apply the breakdown law

Allowing Murray dictate the pace and field position through his box-kicks was crucial

France’s new pod system has limitations which Ireland can exploit and expose

A different balance in the backrow could swing the odds in favour of Schmidt’s team

Italy defence caught was short after assuming the visitors would truck it up middle

Schmidt’s side must counterattack more effectively than they did at Murrayfield

Concern after Murrayfield loss is that things may get harder before they get easier

This wise professor laid stepping stones, not stumbling blocks, for the men under his care

Andrew Conway is our most improved back and is morphing into another Schmidt clone

The province’s defensive systems will be put to the test in clash with Glasgow Warriors

Recent evidence suggests French giants suffer problems in technique or mindset

Connacht players always believe their fullback will ride the tackle and find his man

Pat Lam’s side for once looked vulnerable with ball in hand but expect improvement

Munster’s Conor Murray versus Leicester’s Ben Youngs is an intriguing prospect

Maximising key attacking platform will be a potent weapon during the Six Nations

Wallabies were sublime at times but the home side overcame great odds to prevail

Ireland will need to match their intensity displayed against the All Blacks to prevail again

Superb Ireland performances not enough to stop New Zealand team intent on revenge

Return of Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock represent a real challenge for Joe Schmidt’ side

Managing teams in big games against opposition like the All Blacks is key to success

Ireland’s players followed Joe Schmidt’s plan to the letter and reaped that historic reward

There are a million things New Zealand do better than us but Ireland can still prevail

Ireland have culture, coaches and players to make history by finally beating New Zealand

He was a modest man who always let his achievements fly well below the radar

Ball control is key factor for Pat Lam’s side in Champions Cup opener with Toulouse

Both men will be compared right up to the announcement of team to face All Blacks

Munster try against Edinburgh demonstrated how they have added value to ball

Surfaces such as Scotstoun can make slobbering around in the muck a thing of the past

Paul Wallace’s 2016 Cross Atlantic Way left us all tired and emotional

Pat Lam’s men took their chances but what really counted was how they made them

Leinster’s big strength going into Pro12 showpiece is that they know how to win

Paddy Jackson has led way for Ulster as they improve ability to exploit opportunities

Racing Metro have great chance in Champions Cup if they stop Billy Vunipola

Outstanding personal season for Munster and Ireland recognised by his fellow players

Transitory nature of life as a top-level sports person inevitably brings its own challenges

Due to yellow cards and the effort expended, Munster looked wrecked by the 50th minute

Connacht have yet to be exposed to the onslaught that will greet them

Pat Lam’s charges have the tactical nous to ask big questions of Grenoble on Saturday

Connacht prop is thriving in the scrum and open play under Pat Lam

Irish schools rugby was blessed to have coach and man as inspiring as Dudley Herbert

Joe Schmidt came up trumps but better teams will exploit our weaknesses

Ireland are in for very challenging afternoon if they let Vern Cotter’s side dictate tempo

Turnovers are gold and kicking away precious possession will not work against top teams

For now, we should have enough armoury to overcome limited Italy this weekend

But there remains a dearth of knowledge in our game which impacts at formative level

Debutants impress but inability to suck in England players costs Ireland

Eddie Jones’ England team have a powerful bench to call upon for Twickenham clash

This is not about mad risk-taking or massive passes, just the simple things, executed well

Ireland failed to press home advantage when they were on top in the first half

Joe Schmidt’s team can exploit France’s lack of preparation in build up to Six Nations

Munster's CJ Stander and Tommy O’Donnell epitomised Ireland’s determination

Ireland’s chances hinge on Jamie Roberts running into a forward rather than outhalf

Ulster recently pointing the way to a game the national team should adopt

Province need to get bums on seats and start investing in the coaching of young talent

George Gregan once said that passion had no part to play in the modern game

Munster’s ability to recognise and then exploit opportunities has to sharpen up

Leinster players did what had to be done at right moments in Thomond Park clash

Leinster and Munster could both be doing much better with a little more composure

Leicester are a fine team but they certainly are not the team of old

Western province are clearly doing something different – and it’s working

Fine-tuning will improve trench warfare ahead of a tough run

Do we opt for conservatism over continuity; safe hands over natural flair?

Forget the win-at-all-costs at underage and emphasise the development of real skills

Making all players comfortable with ball in hand should be our coaching priority

‘Irish Times’ team looks back at an eventful tournament and pick their highs and lows

All Blacks will have to adapt to stop David Pocock and Michael Hooper

New Zealand had 51% of possession to France’s 49 – but outscored them by nine tries to one

We missed our leaders, and enforced changes meant players were in unfamiliar roles

Unfortunately for Ireland this Sunday, Argentina are now the team France should be

Joe Schmidt’s players knew jobs inside-out and performed them to maximum effect

History teaches us never to underestimate what France are capable of producing

A massive improvement on this display will be required against France in Cardiff

In-form Keith Earls and Simon Zebo have sharpened Ireland’s cutting edge

Stuart Lancaster may come to regret omitting Steffon Armitage from squad

Everything is so narrow about Romania and Ireland can make big inroads out wide

Ireland get World Cup show on the road with display of patience and power

Ireland to dominate opener but magnificent Picamoles will be a threat come match 39

The Cross Atlantic 1000 charity event is a timely reminder of just how lucky we are

Losing the averages against the big boys at the breakdown will mean losing the match