Brent Pope: Losing is acceptable in New Zealand but being beaten in back-to-back games is inexcusable

While one man does not make a team, Irish coach Joe Schmidt will be mightily relieved that his world class scrum-half Conor Murray is fit to start this weekend. It is an area where Ireland are not particularly blessed for options, and Murray was instrumental in his side’s win in Chicago, and is a vital cog in Schmidt’s game-plan.