RWC 2015: Warm-up struggle lessens Irish hopes.

No one could have predicted the current Six Nations champions and Autumn International shining stars to fall from grace during their latest Rugby World Cup warm-up campaign.

Unfortunately, for all making the trip to the Millennium Stadium for the first World Cup opener against Canada in just over a week’s time, there exists a struggle for consistency and a lower world ranking for Irish hearts.

With two recent defeats to home nation giants, Wales and England, Joe Schmidt’s men are now sixth in the world, having spiralled from an impressive second after their comprehensive 35-21 win over Wales in Cardiff at the start of August.

A Scottish visit to Dublin then followed and proved to be a close but successful encounter for Ireland at 28-22. However, it was the final two warm-up fixtures that caused the “form” team some trouble.

Ireland’s Aviva clash with Wales at the end of last month presented a physical headache, forcing a lack of accuracy at the breakdown, which proved . . .

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