No easy solution to Irish rugby’s World Cup woes

After last weekend’s humiliation against the All Blacks, Ireland’s Rugby World Cup knockout record sits at a wretched zero wins from eight games. It’s back to the drawing board for the IRFU, but where do they go from here?

Joe Schmidt (second left) with his brains trust of David Nucifora, Greg Feek, Andy Farrell and Richie Murphy: once again, a place in the last four was beyond Ireland’s capabilities Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
CJ Stander and Josh van der Flier of Ireland combine to tackle George Bridge of New Zealand last weekend: the 46-14 loss left Ireland’s Rugby World Cup knockout record at eight defeats out of eightBrendan Moran/Sportsfile

It begins as a story of glossy brochures, brightly lit conference rooms and power point presentations, with a man in an IRFU blazer standing at a lectern, delivering a seemingly realistic message. “Ireland’s principal aim is to reach a ...