Ireland’s social contract with fans was broken after defeat to France

On Monday the former Wales outhalf Dan Biggar saw Ireland’s problems through the prism of Wales’ problems. He had a smile on his face. Irish headaches were relative. Ireland were still afloat while the Wales ship was on the rocks. There were issues against France, he said, but the Irish system was intact. Ireland can have some hope. “I’m more than happy if you Irish guys want to come and swap places with us,” said Biggar. “From an outsider’s point of view it feels as if everything is much more aligned in Ireland in terms of the union to the provinces, to the colleges, to the school system.”READ MORE The Counter Ruck: the rugby newsletter from The Irish Times Do Ireland’s rugby pathways need...