Ireland are in a different position to any other major rugby nation and it has absolutely nothing to do with world rankings.
What sets them apart from their rivals is history- namely being unable to win a World Cup knockout game since the tournament was first staged in 1987. All the others can look back at World Cups with a degree of pride, and not just the big guns – Wales, Argentina and even Scotland have all been to a semi-final.
But never Ireland, not one knockout victory to their name.
It means that, by the time they touch down in Australia in three year’s time, they will be contemplating 40 years of failure.
English football has a similar backdrop, stretching back to 1966, but they at least have come close in the interim – Irish rugby’s capitulation when it gets real at World Cups seems almost inevitable.
That changes the script, or should change the script.
The overwhelming directive at this stage of the cycle should be planning for 15 players who have the right age profile and ability to get the team across the line in a knockout game in 2027 – and then identifying another 15 to back them up.
That is what Clive Woodward did with England following the 1999 World Cup failure on home ground and though his side may have staggered over the finish line in 2003, it was the culmination of four years of brilliant planning for a side which remains the only one from the northern hemisphere to have achieved the game’s ultimate honour.
That bigger picture for Ireland is far more important than any win-loss ratio during this November window.
The immediate prerogative last night was to atone for the previous week’s flop against New Zealand and restore some positivity back but, regardless of result, this was also an ideal opportunity to test drive some younger players who will be key to Ireland’s ambitions at Australia 2027.
And last night was better. Not amazing, not error-free, but an improvement on the dross exhibited at the same Aviva venue last weekend.
In terms of performance, the high points of the Farrell era have been the series win in New Zealand, the 2023 Grand Slam and thumping victory in Marseille last spring. This was nowhere near those levels but it was a well merited win against a quality side, who raised their game appreciatively after half time.
Last week, Ireland huffed and puffed and faffed about to little avail, this time, after a week of outside scrutiny and inner reflection, they were all business early on. For a start, there was no Michael D to delay matters.
Ireland’s president undoubtedly brings a large dollop of charm to proceedings but his introductory music and extended grip-and-grip routine adds the bones of seven minutes to a prematch process already extended by Ireland’s extra anthem.
This time, the decision was taken to crack on with the singing and the kick off and Ireland were the better for it.
The body language and overall energy of Andy Farrell’s side seemed much more like it in the first half. There was none of the exaggerated whooping, hollering and back-slapping that had seemed so forced against the All Blacks. Instead, typified by Tadhg Beirne, there was an eagerness to get out of the line and smash a blue and white jersey, to win a turnover or break the line and put Ireland on the front foot in attack.
It led to an entertaining offering in the first 40, one that engaged the audience and sent Ireland into the dressing rooms with a healthy 22-9 advantage and a decided spring in their step.
Either Felipe Contepomi sowed it into his men at half time, or Ireland became a bit lost in self-congratulation but the upshot was the Pumas wresting back the initiative on the resumption.
It made for a tense, compelling second-half tussle and one that will have offered Farrell and his management team a clear path for the future. The fact Ireland managed to hold on for the victory in thrilling, desperate circumstances, despite not scoring in the second half is testament to their resolve but, like we said, the result was not the main thing here.
What mattered was the contributions of the likes of Jack Crowley, Thomas Clarkson, Ryan Baird, Jamie Osborne, Sam Prendergast and Craig Casey – young players who will be hitting their peak when the next World Cup rolls around.
This is what November internationals should be about because there are no major trophies at stake and to see youngsters step up in trying circumstances was encouraging.
Now is the time progress, to thank the veteran core for their service, wish them all the best and move on.
Peter O’Mahony and Cian Healy are two of the finest players to have ever worn the green jersey but it feels like their time is up and last night’s victory would be a good time to bow out.
Similarly, stalwart hooker Rob Herring, second row Iain Henderson and maybe even cult hero centre Bundee Aki.
All have served the national team with distinction but none has the right age profile to be a factor at the next World Cup.
The performance last night will certainly give cause for more concern, it was at a level far below what we had become accustomed to. But, ultimately, this was a friendly and result was never the be-all and end-all. Take the positives from holding on and adopt a policy of culling the old guard and blooding the new.
Ireland have been unconvincing in this window and they may well continue to be unconvincing against Fiji and Australia.
But that will not matter if they finally are able to convince three years from now.