Planet Rugby is aware that shooting ducks in a bath is not a pursuit of pure sportsmen and therefore apologies for harping on at the inadequacies of the senior national side in recent performances. Further bad news is that Ireland are now considered the 10th best side in international rugby following the Rugby World Cup.

The official rankings place Ireland behind Fiji and Argentina amongst others and therefore the draw for the 2003 World Cup in Australia could pitch Ireland in with some very difficult opposition, assuming we qualify. Ah, we will, won't we? The basis for the 10th place ranking is that Ireland scored 24 points but no tries in their pre quarter-final defeat. Fiji managed three tries in their game against England, also scoring 24 points.