Farrell’s finely tuned Ireland machine put down marker for World Cup | Luke McLaughlin

Ireland are building momentum for next year’s tournament and their form over the last six months suggests they will be a factor

Cohesion became a buzzword recently after a certain opposition coach used it while talking up Ireland. For all that Scotland exploded out of the traps on Saturday, it was the inner workings of Ireland’s system that proved more durable. Ultimately, a third straight bonus-point win could not prevent France from claiming the title.

“There’s so much more left in us,” said the Ireland captain Johnny Sexton, looking forward to next year’s World Cup. “We’re going to have be a lot better over the next year and a half.”