How the Irish national Rugby union team should play against teams from Southern Hemisphere

#4 Not committing too many players to breakdowns

Ireland should not involve too many players in the breakdown. NZ are very dangerous in broken play and they would make those surging runs through the center of the pitch or move the ball quickly to the wings to build up a fast counter-attack. Ireland should be in a position to prevent that.

Ireland's clean out work in the breakdowns has been exceptional in recent times, but they should avoid being too committed in the breakdowns and thereby not being in a position to prevent the opposition attacks off broken play. Involving too many players in the breakdown would mean that the rest of the players would have to cover more space, something which is very difficult to do against the rapid pace of the teams from the Southern hemisphere.

The Irish forward Trio of Best, Furlong and McGrath should involve themselves more in the breakdown and the likes of Stander should stay behind and join it when absolutely necessary.