Archive July 5, 2025

Japan score late try to extend Wales’ winless run

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Summer tour first Test: Japan v Wales

Japan (7) 24

Tries: Matsunaga, Nakakusu, Vailea Cons: Lee 3 Pens: Lee

Wales (19) 19

Wales’ record losing international run extended to 18 games as they were beaten 24-19 by Japan in extremely hot and humid conditions in Kitakyushu.

The tourists led 19-7 at the break, but wilted in the intense conditions in a match that took two hours to complete.

There were water breaks in each half and an extended half-time period to cope with the extreme weather with players wearing ice hats to cool down.

Japan coped better with the conditions and scored all the second-half points with Halatoa Vailea crashing over from a close-range line-out in the 71st-minute to claim the win for Eddie Jones’ side.

After losing lock Ben Carter to injury after only 24 seconds, Wales took the initiative through tries from from Ben Thomas, Tom Rogers and a penalty try, but they faded badly in the searing heat.

It was a second victory for Japan against Wales with head coach Jones also masterminding the first in 2013.

The defeat means Wales have fallen to a new low and they are now without a Test win in 21 months and have slipped two places to an all-time low of 14th in the world rankings, below Japan and Samoa.

Feeling the heat

The game kicked off at 14:00 local time and with temperatures reaching 34C with a very high humidity reading, the players were given a three-minute water break in the middle of each half, while the interval was extended from 15 to 20 minutes.

The Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) had enquired about delaying the kick-off until later in the day so conditions would be cooler, but Japan wanted to play at this time.

Home coach Jones had said whoever dealt with the conditions better would win and that he hoped for a hot day because the hosts would try to “run Wales off their feet”.

The water break and extended half-time measures are being taken under World Rugby’s updated heat and air quality guidelines, to support players playing in hot conditions.

The half-time extension was applied because conditions were deemed the second-most severe reading, with the next step being to consider “delaying or suspending the game”.

That never materialised, but the excruciating conditions played a part in the length and quality of the contest.

No Wales home from home in 2025

Kitakyushu had been Wales’ training base for the 2019 World Cup with the local population taking Warren Gatland’s squad to its heart.

More than 15,000 locals had crammed into the stadium just to watch Wales train before the home supporters launched into a rendition of the nation anthem.

Six years later there was again a capacity crowd this time to watch what was only the second rugby international to be staged at the venue.

Cardiff coach Sherratt was again in caretaker charge after he had been brought into lead Wales for the final three Six Nations games after Gatland’s departure in February.

He made 11 changes to the side that lost 68-14 to England in Cardiff with flankers Josh Macleod and Alex Mann, lock Teddy Williams scrum-half Kieran Hardy and centre Johnny Williams rewarded for strong domestic form.

Early disruption for Wales

Carter, who missed the 2024 autumn internationals and 2025 Six Nations because of injury, lasted only 24 seconds on his international return.

He was injured while making a tackle and after a lengthy stoppage, was taken off on a stretcher. James Ratti came on in his place, with both sides having to regroup.

Wales responded with a well-worked move that allowed Taulupe Faletau to provide a simple try-scoring pass to Thomas with Costelow converting.

Some more incisive attacking saw Adams burst down the left-hand side with his inside grubber kick almost finding scrum-half Hardy.

Wales had the early upper hand in the scrum, but their line-out was struggling and Japan capitalised on their first opportunity with a well-worked try for full-back Matsunga.

Scarlets midfield man Williams, who was back in Test rugby after an absence of almost two years, formed an eighth different Wales centre partnership in nine games this season.

Williams is more used to playing at inside centre but his defensive inexperience in the wider channel was exposed as Japan produced a fine attacking move, involving new cap Kippei Ishida before Matsunaga crossed.

Lee converted and it was 7-7 at the first water break after 20 minutes where Wales players used ice hats and towels to cool themselves.

Wales rallied and a clever kick from Hardy resulted in replacement wing Ichigo Nakakusu slapping the ball deliberately out of play to deny Adams a try-scoring opportunity and resulted in a penalty try and a yellow card.

Wales took advantage of their extra man after another fine Faletau break released the backs and wing Rogers scored in the corner.

The hosts responded with number eight Amato Fakatava denied by a last-ditch tackle by Ben Thomas.

The 40-minute first half lasted more than an hour with all the stoppages but Wales led by 12 points as both sets of players almost staggered off the field.

Japan’s final flourish

Sherratt had stated the importance of his 23-man selection as he introduced experienced replacement forwards Gareth Thomas, Tommy Reffell and Aaron Wainwright compared to six uncapped Japan players on the hosts’ bench.

But after the second-half water break, it was a Japan replacement in Nakakusu, who crossed after fine work from the home forwards, with captain Leitch at the forefront of the comeback.

Lee converted and slotted over a penalty to reduce the deficit to two points, although Japan could have taken the lead if a try for Ben Gunter was not ruled out for a forward pass from Cornelsen.

Cardiff captain Liam Belcher came on for his international debut when he replaced Lake, but Japan were preying on Wales’ indiscipline, poor line-out and general fatigue.

Japan took the lead for the first time through a try from Vailea with Lee again converting.

Japan: Takuro Matsunaga; Kippei Ishida, Dylan Riley, Shogo Nakano, Malo Tuitama; Seungsin Lee, Shinobu Fujiwara; Yota Kamimori, Mamoru Harada, Shuhei Takeuchi, Epineri Uluiviti, Warner Deans, Michael Leitch (capt), Jack Cornelsen, Amato Fakatava.

Replacements: Hayate Era, Sena Kimura, Keijiro Tamefusa, Waisake Raratubua, Ben Gunter, Shuntaro Kitamura, Ichigo Nakakusu, Halatoa Vailea.

Wales: Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Johnny Williams, Ben Thomas, Josh Adams; Sam Costelow, Kieran Hardy; Nicky Smith, Dewi Lake (capt), Keiron Assiratti, Ben Carter, Teddy Williams, Alex Mann, Josh Macleod, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: Liam Belcher, Gareth Thomas, Archie Griffin, James Ratti, Aaron Wainwright, Tommy Reffell, Rhodri Williams, Joe Roberts.

Referee: Damian Schneider (Argentina)

Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England) & Luke Pearce (England)

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Japan hit back to stun Wales in Kitakyushu

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Summer tour first Test: Japan v Wales

Japan (7) 24

Tries: Matsunaga, Nakakusu, Vailea Cons: Matsunaga 3 Pens: Lee

Wales (19) 19

Japan stunned Wales in Kitakyushu with a first-Test fightback that condemned the visitors to an 18th successive defeat.

The tourists led 19-7 at the break, but Japan scored all the second-half points with Halatoa Vailea crashing over from a close-range line-out in the 71st-minute to claim the win for Eddie Jones’ side.

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England & Wales bid to survive ‘toughest group of all’

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England and Wales are flying the flag for the home nations at Euro 2025 this summer.

But the two teams have found themselves paired together in the trickiest group, alongside the Netherlands and France.

That means three of the four teams in the group are in the top 11 of Fifa’s world rankings.

Wales take on the Dutch (17:00 BST on Saturday) in a game you can watch and listen to across the BBC, before England face France (20:00), with radio commentary on 5 Live and BBC Sounds, with live text updates on the BBC Sport website and app.

World rankings for teams in Euro 2025 Group D - England five, France 10, Netherlands 11, Wales 30

‘The most lopsided draw I have ever seen’

Group D, according to Netherlands boss Andries Jonker, is the “toughest group of all” at Euro 2025.

And Opta have backed up his claim, with the stat experts’ supercomputer predicting there’s a 37% chance a Group D team will win the tournament.

That’s 7% higher than the second-favourite group.

“It’s the most lopsided draw I have ever seen,” football journalist Tom Garry told the Football Daily podcast.

Two former champions

Sarina Wiegman with Euro 2022 trophyGetty Images

England arrive in Switzerland as the defending champions while the Netherlands won the previous tournament in 2017 – both were managed by Sarina Wiegman.

Both teams won all three of their group-stage games when they won the title.

The defending champions have never failed to progress past the group stage at a European Championship.

“Straight from the beginning, we need to be really sharp and strong but that’s also the case for the other teams,” England head coach Wiegman said when the draw was made.

The Lionesses have won their past 14 group-stage matches at major tournaments while the Netherlands are unbeaten in their past 13.

Jonker said: “This is the toughest group of all with three top countries. We have to accept this and go for the challenge and believe in ourselves.

France on fine form

France have never won a major trophy but they have an impressive group-stage record, progressing in each of their past eight major tournament appearances.

And Laurent Bonadei’s team have form on their side. They are on an eight-game winning run and have only conceded two goals since February while they last tasted defeat in December – to world champions Spain.

England full-back Lucy Bronze says Saturday’s opening match between the sides is not to be missed.

“Both teams are full of exciting attacking talent and I think it’s the game everyone is going to be watching because it’s surely the most exciting group game coming into a Euros,” right-back Bronze said.

Les Bleues left-back Selma Bacha also said she is “very happy” to play England first, adding: “That’s going to put us straight into the thick of things for the Euros. “

However, this will be the first time since 2005 that France have been at a Euros or World Cup without both Wendie Renard and all-time leading scorer Eugenie le Sommer, who were controversially left out of Bonadei’s side.

“The experience and the amount of caps that Renard and Le Sommer have is absolutely huge,” said former England forward Ellen White.

“To have that completely wiped from your squad is a really interesting dynamic to go into this tournament. “

Wales will ’embrace’ underdog status

Wales players, including Ceri Holland, left, and Josephine Green celebrate after their side's victory in the Uefa Women's Euro 2025 play-off Getty Images

Competing in their first major tournament and as the lowest ranked team in the compteition, Wales are not only the underdogs for Group D but for the whole of Euro 2025.

“People can call us underdogs and write us off as much as they want but our belief in ourselves will be the most important thing,” said Wales forward Jess Fishlock.

“I think we will embrace it and we will use it as an advantage. “

Despite their lower ranking, Wales have shown they can compete with top teams under coach Rhian Wilkinson, claiming two impressive draws against Sweden earlier this year.

“It absolutely terrifies me playing Wales in the last game and trying to get points because it will be such a hard game,” White said.

“It will be a European final for Wales. They’ve got enthusiasm, you don’t know what to expect, they’re competitive, the fans are going to be amazing. That’s going to be a really hard test for England. “

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‘End is near’: Will Kabul become first big city without water by 2030?

Kabul, a city of over six million people, could become the first modern city to run out of water in the next five years, a new report has warned.

Groundwater levels in the Afghan capital have dropped drastically due to over-extraction and the effects of climate change, according to a report published by nonprofit Mercy Corps.

So, is Kabul’s water crisis at a tipping point and do Afghan authorities have the resources and expertise to address the issue?

The depth of the crisis

Kabul’s aquifer levels have plummeted 25-30 metres (82 – 98 feet) in the past decade, with extraction of water exceeding natural recharge by a staggering 44 million cubic metres (1,553cu feet) a year, the report, published in April this year, noted.

If the current trend continues, Kabul’s aquifers will become dry by 2030, posing an existential threat to the Afghan capital, according to the report. This could cause the displacement of some three million Afghan residents, it said.

The report said UNICEF projected that nearly half of Kabul’s underground bore wells, the primary source of drinking water for residents, are already dry.

It also highlights widespread water contamination: Up to 80 percent of groundwater is believed to be unsafe, with high levels of sewage, arsenic and salinity.

Conflict, climate change and government failures

Experts point to a combination of factors behind the crisis: climate change, governance failures and increasing pressures on existing resources as the city’s population has expanded from less than one million in 2001 to roughly six million people today.

Two decades of US-led military intervention in Afghanistan also played a role in the crisis, as it forced more people to move to Kabul while governance in the rest of the country suffered.

“The prediction is based on the growing gap between groundwater recharge and annual water extraction. These trends have been consistently observed over recent years, making the forecast credible,” said Assem Mayar, water resource management expert  and former lecturer at Kabul Polytechnic University.

“It reflects a worst-case scenario that could materialise by 2030 if no effective interventions are made,” he added.

Najibullah Sadid, senior researcher and a member of the Afghanistan Water and Environment Professionals Network, said it was impossible to put a timeline on when the capital city would run dry. But he conceded that Kabul’s water problems are grave.

“Nobody can claim when the last well will run dry, but what we know is that as the groundwater levels further drop, the capacity of deep aquifers become less – imagine the groundwater as a bowl with depleting water,” he said.

“We know the end is near,” he said.

A vast portion of the Afghan capital relies on underground borewells, and as water levels drop, people dig deeper or in different locations looking for sources of water.

According to an August 2024 report by the National Statistics Directorate, there are approximately 310,000 drilled wells across the country. According to the Mercy Corps report, it is estimated that there are also nearly 120,000 unregulated bore wells across Kabul.

A 2023  UN report  found that nearly 49 percent of borewells in Kabul are dry, while others are functioning at only 60 percent efficiency.

The water crisis, Mayar said, exposes the divide between the city’s rich and poor. “Wealthier residents can afford to drill deeper boreholes, further limiting access for the poorest,” he said. “The crisis affects the poorest first. ”

The signs of this divide are evident in longer lines outside public water taps or private water takers, says Abdulhadi Achakzai, director at the Environmental Protection Trainings and Development Organization (EPTDO), a Kabul-based climate protection NGO.

Poorer residents, often children, are forced to continually search for sources of water.

“Every evening, even late at night, when I am returning home from work, I see young children with small cans in their hands looking for water … they look hopeless, navigating life collecting water for their homes rather than studying or learning,” he said.

Additionally, Sadid said, Kabul’s already depleted water resources were being exploited by the “over 500 beverage and mineral water companies” operating in the capital city,” all of which are using Kabul’s groundwater”. Alokozay, a popular Afghan soft drinks company, alone extracts nearly one billion litres (256 million gallons) of water over a year — 2. 5 million litres (660,000 gallons) a day — according to Sadid’s calculations.

Al Jazeera sent Alokozay questions about its water extraction on June 21, but has yet to receive a response.

Kabul, Sadid said, also had more than 400 hectares (9,884 acres) of green houses to grow vegetables, which suck up 4 billion litres (1. 05 billion gallons) of water every year, according to his calculations. “The list [of entities using Kabul water] is long,” he said.

‘Repeated droughts, early snowmelt and reduced snowfall’

The water shortage is further compounded by climate change. Recent years have seen a significant reduction in precipitation across the country.

“The three rivers — Kabul river, Paghman river and Logar river—that replenish Kabul’s groundwater rely heavily on snow and glacier meltwater from the Hindu Kush mountains,” the Mercy Corps report noted. “However, between October 2023 to January 2024, Afghanistan only received only 45 to 60 percent of the average precipitation during the peak winter season compared to previous years. ”

Mayar, the former lecturer at Kabul Polytechnic University, said that while it was difficult to quantify exactly how much of the crisis was caused by climate change, extreme weather events had only added to Kabul’s woes.

“Climate-related events such as repeated droughts, early snowmelts, and reduced snowfall have clearly diminished groundwater recharge opportunities,” he said.

Additionally, increased air temperature has led to greater evaporation, raising agricultural water consumption, said Sadid from the Afghanistan Water and Environment Professionals Network.

While several provinces have experienced water scarcity, particularly within agrarian communities, Kabul remains the worst affected due to its growing population.

Decades of conflict

Sadid argued Kabul’s crisis runs deeper than the impact of climate change, compounded by years of war, weak governance, and sanctions on the aid-dependent country.

Much of the funds channelled into the country were diverted to security for the first two decades of the century. Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, funding has been used to tackle an escalating humanitarian crisis. Western sanctions have also significantly stymied development projects that could have helped Kabul better manage the current water crisis.

As a result, authorities have struggled with the maintenance of pipelines, canals and dams — including basic tasks like de-sedimentation.

“The crisis is already beyond the capacity of the current de facto authorities,” Mayar said, referring to the Taliban. “In well-managed cities, such impacts are mitigated through robust water governance and infrastructure. Kabul lacks such capacity, and the current authorities are unable to address the problem without external support,” he added.

As a result, environmental resilience projects have taken a backseat.

“Several planned initiatives, including projects for artificial groundwater recharge, were suspended following the Taliban takeover,” Mayar pointed out. “Sanctions continue to restrict organisations and donors from funding and implementing essential water-related projects in Afghanistan,” he said.

Sadid pointed out one example: An Awater supply project -funded by the German Development bank KfW, along with European agencies – could have supplied 44 billion litres (11 billion gallons) of water annually to parts of Kabul from Logar aquifers.

“But currently this project has been suspended,” he said, even though two-thirds of the initiative was already completed when the government of former President Ashraf Ghani collapsed in 2021.

Similarly, India and the Ghani government had signed an agreement in 2021 for the construction of the Shah-toot dam on the Kabul River. Once completed, the dam could supply water to large parts of Kabul, Sadid said, “but its fate is uncertain now. ”

What can be done to address the water crisis?

Experts recommend the development of the city’s water infrastructure as the starting point to address the crisis.

“Artificial groundwater recharge and the development of basic water infrastructure around the city are urgently needed. Once these foundations are in place, a citywide water supply network can gradually be developed,” Mayar recommended.

Achakzai agreed that building infrastructure and its maintenance were key elements of any fix.

“Aside from introducing new pipelines to the city from nearby rivers, such as in Panjshir, there needs to be an effort to recharge underground aquifers with constructions of check dams and water reservoirs,” he said, adding that these structures will also facilitate rainwater harvesting and groundwater replenishment.

“[The] Afghan government needs to renew ageing water pipes and systems. Modernising infrastructure will improve efficiency and reduce water loss,” he added.

Yet all of that is made harder by Afghanistan’s global isolation and the sanctions regime it is under, Achakzai said.

‘My go-to makeup brush cleaner gets rid of build up instantly and smells like summer holiday’

I’ve used this makeup artist-approved brush cleaner for years now, and it’s the only one I’ll trust to clean my makeup tools – it works instantly and smells like summer holidays

The Isoclean makeup brush cleaner is the quickest and easiest way to get brushes clean(Image: Faith Richardson)

As any beauty lover knows, the right tools can make a huge difference to your makeup, which is why keeping them in good condition is essential. As well as helping your brushes to perform better, cleaning them is also key to keeping them hygienic and safe to use – a dirty brush can be a breeding ground for bacteria, cause breakouts and leave your skin looking oily or patchy. Not to mention layers of different foundations, blushers and bronzers can affect the colour of your products when you apply them.

Although I generally find cleaning my makeup brushes to be an arduous task that I can almost never be bothered to do, discovering Isoclean’s Paradise Scented Make Up Brush Cleaner has absolutely changed the game for me. It’s easy to use, takes barely any time at all, and smells amazing, and – dare I say it – I’ve actually started to enjoy cleaning them?

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Unlike other cleaners which require copious bowls of water, cloths, and leaving them to drip dry for hours, the Isoclean spray top means I need nothing except the bottle and some paper towels. You can currently pick up a large 275ml bottle for £19. 50, or a full size bottle and 275ml refill worth £35 for £31. 15. In my experience the 275ml bottle lasts around four months with a weekly clean, although that obviously depends on how frequently you clean your brushes and how many brushes you clean.

To use it, you just need to spray the brushes with the cleaner, then rub them into some paper towels or tissues and the makeup comes straight off. Some more stubborn products (like full coverage foundation) might need a couple of goes, but generally I can have a brush fully cleaned in around 30 seconds.

Isoclean makeup brush cleaner
It took me less than five minutes to clean all my brushes(Image: Faith Richardson)

If you do prefer a more traditional solid soap style cleaner, Zoeva (who makes some of my favourite makeup brushes of all time, FYI) has the Brush Shampoo Bar for £12, which deep cleans and nourishes the bristles, helping prolong their life span. You could also try the CLOMANA BEAUTY Chocolate Orange Brush & Sponge Cleanser, which is currently on sale down from £16 to £10. 40 at Sephora, and smells like chocolate orange.

However personally I love the spray formula that Isoclean has. It means they dry almost instantly, so you can clean as you go or give them a quick clean before swapping between two different coloured products without muddying the shades. The Isoclean Paradise Scented Make Up Brush Cleaner also kills off all bacteria, keeping them safe to use.

The only real downside to the Isoclean Paradise Scented Make Up Brush Cleaner is that it can be tricky to make sure the bristles at the middle of your brush are fully saturated, especially on denser brushes like foundation ones. However a few repeat goes makes sure you get everything out and clean.

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I’ve also found in the past that most brush cleaners tend to have quite a strong, harsh alcohol smell which can be off putting. However the Paradise Scented version of Isoclean’s cleaner quite honestly smells like a summer holiday. It has notes of salted caramel, vanilla, almond and pistachio, and the scent lingers on your brushes so you can still smell it next time you use them. Anything that makes me keep my makeup brushes clean with minimal effort is a winner in my book!

‘Intimidating but personable’ O’Connell takes next coaching step

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Summer Test: Georgia v Ireland

Date: Saturday, 5 July Kick-off: 18:00 BST Venue: Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi

Paul O’Connell has always been strikingly honest about his coaching career.

As a player, he was revered and feared, his iconic ‘manic aggression’ speech in the bowels of Croke Park ensured the latter.

Over the past eight years, the former lock has been coaching at various levels after his injury-enforced retirement in February 2016.

After a distinguished playing career that yielded three Six Nations titles with Ireland and three British and Irish Lions tours, he has carefully progressed his coaching education, which arrives at an important juncture this summer as he leads Ireland into Tests against Georgia and Portugal.

Following roles with the Munster academy and Ireland under-20s, O’Connell spent a year at Top 14 club Stade Francais as Heyneke Meyer’s forwards coach.

He found the going tough, later saying it was “too full-on for me”. But when head coach Andy Farrell came calling before the 2021 Six Nations, he considered the chance to work with Ireland’s current pack too good to turn down.

Naturally, when other opportunities have arisen, his name has been put forward with haste.

A Munster icon, he won two European Cups and three league titles during his 14 years in the red jersey. But when Johann van Graan announced he would vacate his role as Munster head coach for Bath at the end of the 2021-22 season, O’Connell admitted he “wouldn’t be qualified to do it”.

The 45-year-old is also a Lions great. Three tours, 2009 tour captain, seven Tests, his CV is admirable, so admitting last year that he did not feel ready to assist Farrell would not have been easy.

Compare O’Connell’s perspective to that of his contemporaries. Ronan O’Gara, his long-time Munster and Ireland team-mate, took the La Rochelle job in 2019, six years into his coaching career.

With two European Cups tucked away, it has worked out well for the former fly-half, who has also boldly outlined his desire to break into Test coaching.

Johnny Sexton, another former Irish fly-half of unchallenged stature, has enjoyed a swifter move through the ranks. After less than a year coaching Ireland on a part-time basis, he accepted Farrell’s invitation to join the Lions tour as a kicking coach.

‘A natural leader’

Craig Casey and Paul O'Connell during an Ireland training sessionInpho

As forwards coach, O’Connell may often have had his head buried in his laptop, poring over plans for the Irish line-out and maul in forensic detail.

Over the next couple of weeks, however, his remit is extended to all 33 players in his squad.

The Limerick native will not be immune to nerves, but he can at least feel uplifted by the shining endorsements he’s received from coaches and players in the build-up to Saturday’s Test against Georgia in Tbilisi.

“Paul’s a natural leader, he’s a brilliant leader,” said his former Munster team-mate Denis Leamy, who has been drafted in from the province as O’Connell’s defence coach.

“His presence alone is a great starting point. Look, he understands the game inside out, he has great knowledge and his way of imparting that knowledge with the players is hugely impressive. “

O’Connell’s standing among the other coaches is clear. As for the players, Stuart McCloskey – the only member of Ireland’s squad to have played with or against O’Connell – believes the former second row has absorbed valuable skills from working closely with Farrell.

“Intimidating as a player, as a coach he has that intimidation factor, but I think he’s very personable,” said the Ulster centre.

Paul O'Connell and Andy Farrell Getty Images

With 13 uncapped players and just one – McCloskey – in his thirties, O’Connell’s squad is inexperienced, so he has consciously avoided information overloads in training.

“I think short, sharp meetings are probably the best because there’s probably fewer messages and you can take them all in, write down a few notes and he’ll only say the main messages,” observed Leinster centre Jamie Osborne.

“And if there’s a couple of main messages that focus going in for a match, you know, your mind is pretty clear, you know exactly what you’re focusing on and it’s easier to bring that in. “

When Easterby stepped up to temporarily fill Farrell’s shoes, he was charged with leading Ireland to a third successive Six Nations title. O’Connell’s task may not carry such championship-level intensity, but he has still shrewdly downplayed expectations this week.

“We’ve had three very fast sessions where we’ve put them under a little bit of pressure and they’ve enjoyed that, but it hasn’t been perfect, and I don’t expect it to be perfect on Saturday,” he warned.

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