It seems Wales may require more than the return of Gats to solve their problems. The Warren Gatland Era 2.0 began in disappointing fashion, beaten comprehensively in Wales’s famously passionate arena by a swaggeringly confident Ireland team, who open their campaign with this bonus-point win.
With Gatland back in charge and some of his finest warriors of yore out on the field, there were even thoughts – dreams maybe – of the underdogs snarling enough in their lair to put one over the visitors, looking all sleek and shiny up there at the top of the world rankings. The closed roof of the kennel was full to bursting beforehand with the songs of its faithful.
