While Ireland would secure a fairly comprehensive victory over Japan, their performance in the game at the Aviva Stadium left a lot to be desired.

Andy Farrell’s side were particularly poor in the opening half of the game, lacking accuracy in numerous aspects of their play. They also gave far too much joy to a Japan side who were on the receiving end of a 61-7 hammering from South Africa just last week.

Ireland did improve after the interval, although one part of their game will be a massive concern heading into the remainder of the November internationals.

READ ALSO: Tom Farrell Was Not Even Denying The Surprise Post-Match Statement By Andy Farrell

READ ALSO: Eddie Jones Baffled By Referee’s Decision To Allow Ireland Try Vs Japan

Jackman Feels One Ireland Star Could Help Fix Glaring Team Issue

Recommended

The lineout is a part of the game that Ireland have largely struggled with over the last few years, something that goes all the way back to the last World Cup.

They were very poor in that area against Japan, especially in the first half. In fact, they would only just over half of their own throws in the opening 40 minutes.

Paul O’Connell is the man that is tasked with drilling Ireland in the lineout, although he has struggled to find consistent solutions to their issues up to this point.

Writing in the Irish Independent, Bernard Jackman suggested placing more responsibility on the shoulders of Ryan Baird is something that could help in that regard.

We have brilliant second rows but none of them are, what I would call, lineout gurus…

​It’s been interesting to see Ryan Baird develop his skills as a defensive lineout leader and I wonder could he do the same on attacking ball.

It’s such a key area for Ireland in terms of our attack from the lineout that one of the short-term fixes maybe to get more height into our back row and sacrifice the mobility of Josh Van der Flier at openside and play a back row of Baird, Doris and Conan for the next two games, or at least for the Springboks as their lineout is exceptional.

Ryan Baird has become an increasingly important contributor at both provincial and international level in recent times. Having established himself as a key player for Leinster last season, he has been elevated to first choice with Ireland on the back of Peter O’Mahony’s retirement.

The 26-year old is not a lineout specialist, although he has shown quite a bit of growth in that area. It will be interesting to see if he can be a part of the solution when it comes to fixing Ireland’s woes in the lineout moving forward.

SEE ALSO: Pair Of Former Ireland Rugby Stars Help Limerick GAA Club To Junior Championship Title