Star: Sexton in action against New Zealand
PICTURE: Getty Images

LOOKING at the bigger picture, Ireland lost by only four points to one of the toughest teams ever to take the field. Looking at the statistics, carries, set moves and all-over gameplay suggests to me that a strong team had a bad day in the office and only lost marginally.
I’ll miss Johnny Sexton and Keith Earls but if they can end their glorious careers without any severe long-term injuries then that is a win in itself.
Sometimes the bigger picture is the hardest to see. Ireland are a phenomenal team and not ...