What most annoyed was the fact Saints had ample opportunities to score, but squandered them with poor handling. The game started more scrappy than Scooby Doo's nephew, with more turnovers than a sale at Oliver Adams. Saints, shorn of the back three who contributed 43 of the 58 posted at the Gardens fifteen days ago, seemed a different side. The few attacking runs that weren't stifled by the Irish defence ended with wild passes, knock ons, or by being penalised for not releasing.

Serious concerns must now be reaching the coaches about our lack of strength in depth in the wing department. Yes, I know we've lost two to internationals (although the most memorable moment of the Calcutta Cup match was a knock on which would have fitted in nicely today). We also lost Bruce to the unfortunate family bereavement (good luck with everything back home Bruce). We've also got Digger on the way back from injury. But the wing combination on the pitch today seemed bereft of any finishing ability. It seemed strange that, when Pritchard finally came on, it wasn't for the ailing Rudd but for Robbie Kydd.

It's not as though Saints never went close - a series of 5m penalties early in the second half should have gained some points - as well as Clarke's late try attempt pinged for a knock on. You have to question the continued choice for scrums on your opponent's 5m line when a man up, especially when that man's a winger. Unfortunately, the lineout got stuck into permanent "erratic" mode, with overthrows, missed calls, not straight, everything really. The forwards seemed to have the upper hand in a lot of open play, several good rolling mauls were set up (and a couple of Irish attempts stopped) but nothing came of it.

To get the whole score sequence out of the way, a Flutey penalty on 13 mins, followed by an Armitage try on 25 (converted by Flutey), then Saints contributed their three points two minutes later through a Spencer penalty. A try for hooker David Paice, again converted by Flutey, came eight minutes before half time. 58 mins saw a try by Samoan wing Sailosi Tagicakibau, with a quarter of an hour left Catt dropped a goal, and in the final minute Topsy Ojo got the bonus point try.

All credit to Irish, they did in many respects what we did to Sarries last time round - capitalised on the opposition mistakes and scored from them. Even with Saints using their entire bench, including a quadruple subbing with 13 mins to go, the team couldn't turn the tide in their favour. As I've said, it's not like Saints didn't have their chances, they just didn't use them. Oh well, another week on the rollercoaster, are we still looking up at a big hill or into the abyss? I've lost track.

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