Liam Toland: Astute kicking game helps England establish a stranglehold

For the third time in a row Ireland were unable to cope with England’s tactics

Liam Toland: Larmour can distract England while others flourish

Secondrows need to contribute more in a creative sense to Ireland’s attack

Liam Toland: Old DNA mixes with new to fuel Irish evolution

Denying Wales possession and kicking to gain distance were key to Ireland’s win

Liam Toland: Ireland vulnerable as Wales look to make immediate gains

Last year’s Grand Slam winners were impressively efficient in their opening victory

Liam Toland: Small changes point to big evolution for Ireland

Despite defensive game against Scotland, there’s a positive shift in attacking policy

Liam Toland: Is Farrell ready for what the athletic Doris can do?

Irish rugby doesn’t have to swing wildly from its core principles but it does need to swing

Liam Toland: Schmidt era ends in a whimper as Ireland fail to ask the basic questions

Out of form team’s error-ridden display made things easy for clinical All Blacks

Liam Toland: Set piece and breakdown two areas where Ireland can target All Blacks

Variety in point of attack is also crucial to unleashing Ireland’s potent backline

Liam Toland: Ireland smile returns but it needs to be wider against the All Blacks

That Keith Earls and Jacob Stockdale have yet to score a try is an institutional failure

Liam Toland: Robbie Henshaw might just give Ireland a sense of direction

Ireland need Henshaw at his communicative best, especially when Sexton leaves the field

Liam Toland: Ireland are being pulled into dogfights and not managing a way out

Without Sexton on the pitch, no one seems capable of dictating Ireland’s game plan

Liam Toland: Japan gave Ireland a lesson in how to value the ball

Host nation never looked back after forcing scrum penalty just before half-time

Liam Toland: Underdogs should reap the reward their pressure deserves

How often do we see ‘lesser’ teams fail to get key decisions against the stronger sides

Liam Toland: Clinical Ireland do their job with distinction

Scotland were firstly not allowed to play but also, worryingly for them, failed to perform

Liam Toland: Evolving player base and gameplan key to Ireland’s success

Rugby World Cup timetable puts Ireland in strong position for quarter-final showdown