A draw and a defeat from their opening two Six Nations fixtures was not the start Ireland had in mind in the pursuit of what would be a record-breaking third consecutive championship.
While being held by Wales was not the worst result for Joe Schmidt’s side, defeat in Paris to an unfancied France side in a match they dominated for long periods has raised major question marks.
With the poor results coming off the back of a disappointing Rugby World Cup, our #360debate today is: Are Joe Schmidt’s Ireland a team in decline?
It’s Saturday March, 15 2014. Ireland have just beaten France by two points at the Stade de France and clinched the Six Nations title to cap a year in which they lost to the mighty All Blacks by two points four months earlier.
Fast-forward two years and Joe Schmidt’s men have lost the same fixture by two points, just four months after a 23-point mauling at the hands of Argentina in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.
These results, if nothing else, prove Ireland are a team heading south and murmurings of Schmidt’s potential as the next New Zealand coach have been replaced by angry voices even, somewhat unfairly, calling for his removal as coach.
In 2014, Ireland were considered world beaters and the team that would finally bridge the gap between the two hemispheres. If they played New Zealand now, it would be a massacre.
Ireland were by no means dealt the most favourable hand in terms of a Six Nations schedule in 2016 but a draw at home to Wales followed by a loss to an aimless France side is a particularly paltry return.
Ireland still have plenty of ability to create scoring opportunities (which is impressive given the total implosion of their pack in Paris), but seem incapable of rediscovering the clinical edge that once marked them out.
Where they were once able to call upon a moment of genius from Brian O’Driscoll to break the line in midfield, there seems to be a lack of spark.
While the most fickle fans calling for Schmidt’s removal are slightly premature, given the lengthy injury list, one has to ask where the replacements are for players such as O’Driscoll, Sexton and Paul O’Connell, and why they are not standing up now?
Life gets no easier with England at Twickenham up next. With the hosts energised by new blood and the desire to put on a show at home it is difficult to see Ireland arresting their downward spiral any time soon.
The defeat to France showed much of Ireland’s lack of creativity and flair, but by no means can it be argued that Joe Schmidt’s men are in decline, especially with the number of key players currently ruled out through injury.
After winning back-to-back Six Nations titles and reaching the quarterfinals of the World Cup the team is still full of promise, but it’s been difficult to highlight this class without the availability of so many experienced names.
Every team goes through stages of the season with key men absent and it’s just unfortunate that midway through a Six Nations, Ireland find themselves without the experience and leadership of 10 injured players – seven who would be potential starters.
To go to Paris and lose by just one point without several star names isn’t as bad as some have suggested since Saturday’s post-mortem.
Perhaps the biggest loss is in the forwards where five of Ireland’s starting eight are sidelined. The significant loss of Cian Healy, Mike Ross and Iain Henderson was reflected through the front five being bullied in the final 20 minutes.
The scrum creaked and the French pack duly upped the tempo and took advantage of some poor decision making to pave the way for Maxime Medard’s late try.
Without trying to single out individuals, the loss of Peter O’Mahony’s leadership is momentous and his work-rate and commitment to the tackle is worth a score a game alone.
Of course, it would be hard to determine what this team would be like without the injuries, but for the remaining three games Schmidt must try to instill belief and win at all costs.
Scotland and Italy should be two facile victories, but in order to initiate any sort of optimism, they need a strong showing in London against England.
The bid for a historic third title has derailed but finishing off this campaign on a high with the available squad is primary.
