I watched that Italy test match back and there were aching signs of a young lad all at sea. There are minimum test standards. I lost my confidence after 100 caps, but I had a pretty long career for ballast at a bad time. He’s lost his bearings early and Ireland management has done him and his future a long-term favour by removing Sam from the cauldron of test rugby. There are discussions: what’s the best course to right this ship, intervention or brazen it out?

Source: Irish Examiner February 20, 2026 21:23 UTC