SIMON EASTERBY knows the best way to ensure that narrow wins do not become costly is to keep winning.
But he insisted that means shutting down any talk of a Grand Slam.
Ireland remain on course for a second Slam in three years after securing the Triple Crown on Saturday with a 27-18 victory over Wales in Cardiff.
But the winning margin was narrower than expected. Bookies had Ireland to win by at least 20 points against a Wales team that have now lost 15 games in a row.
And it followed Ireland giving up a losing point to England in their opening day victory four weeks ago when the Red Roses scored two late, late tries meant just a five-point win.
Easterby was annoyed that day saying it could prove costly down the road.
And it was telling on Saturday how Sam Prendergast still kicked for the posts in the last seconds of a game already won.
He missed what was a difficult long-distance effort to make it a 12-point win, which led to a late flurry as Wales looked to score themselves to finish with some pride.
But Easterby acknowledged that even with a near-perfect record – Ireland are 14 points from a potential 15 having not got a bonus point on Saturday – he is watching the margins closely.
He said: “Points difference might come into it in the end but if we keep winning, it won’t.”
But that is as close as he will get to talking about winning it all when there are still two hurdles to overcome; France on March 8 and then Italy a week later.
Not that that will stop everyone else talking about it.
Easterby added: “We can’t control what goes on outside so we’ll just focus on trying to get better.
“I know that sounds like a party line but it’s just the way the group are. It’s no different each week.
“We know there’s something special at the end of this Six Nations but it won’t be if we don’t prepare well and get ourselves in the prime space to prepare against France.”
Easterby’s – and his team’s – caution about getting ahead of themselves is natural; Jack Conan last week referenced the typical Irish trait of talking themselves down.
But he also did not like the narrative that built up around Saturday’s game about it would be a routine win.
He continued: “It’s just unnecessary. I know that’s part and parcel of people giving opinions but some people’s opinion doesn’t need to be aired. But it is.
“That’s part and parcel of this game and it’s fine. I know that’s the way of the world at the moment.
“But our players have been brilliant just focusing on what they can do well. We were always going to come up against a purple patch.
“Wales did exactly what we expected them to, not probably what some people thought.”
Easterby is based in Wales, and he never had any doubt that interim head coach Matt Sherratt would get a reaction from the players.
And he is sure that coming through a battle under the roof at the Principality Stadium despite playing with 14 men for 20 minutes will help some players grow.
The head coach said: “There’s a lot of guys who never would have played in an atmosphere like that.
“In terms of the way the game unfolded and the way we were able to battle through some difficult situations, that will be really pleasing for us as a team.
“The guys that came off the bench and were able to impact that game, some of the younger players will benefit massively from that experience.”
In particularly, Sam Prendergast in his fifth cap and Jamie Osborne in his sixth came through the game well.
No. 10 Prendergast played the full 80 minutes and missed three kicks from the tee but nailed five others, including a huge one from near halfway to give Ireland a six-point advantage.
When kicking to touch, he was also flawless with some massive clearances – further than perhaps any other No. 10 in the Championship could kick.
Easterby said: “He’s only going to get better from those experiences. He can do things that a lot of players can’t do.
“The kick he put over Blair Murray’s head at one stage was just incredible, to get that 50:22 at that stage of the game, it takes a lot of balls to to that.
“But he’s being pushed as well. Jack (Crowley) is sort of in the shadows waiting to get his opportunity.
“That’s the great thing about the group, they push each other, and Sam is benefitting from that competition.”
RINGROSE RED
Meanwhile, the head coach is confident that Garry Ringrose – who was shown a red card during the game – will avoid a lengthy ban for his high hit on Ben Thomas.
Ringrose caught Thomas in the head with a hit on 32 minutes that was initially given as a yellow card before being upgraded to a red.
Easterby believed it was a decision that could gone either way, and will likely get a two-week ban though the disciplinary authority could double it.
But Easterby is hopeful that it will be shorter, allowing him to face France.
He said: “You know Garry, he’s not a malicious player. The speed at which he works is why that happened.
“He accelerates so hard off the line, just gets his timing wrong and unfortunately that’s it.
“It felt like he maybe was a bit lower than they thought and he did try and dip but not enough. We’ll have to wait and see how they view that.”
