O’Gara was one of them and he was effectively thrust into a fly-half face-off with Hook, who was introduced after just four minutes of the second half.

"The conditions were up there with the worst I have experienced," said Munster fly-half O’Gara.

"We wanted to push management for selection for the weekend but we didn’t really get that opportunity. We had to temper the gameplan.

"We needed to get one score further ahead. I don’t think we felt under threat by this team tonight – but they came at us in the end.

"The mood is disappointed. There is a realisation some guys won’t play again on this tour, and it will hurt."

Shane Williams was another of those who did not get a chance to push for Test selection this weekend, with Luke Fitzgerald the more eye- catching winger.

Williams was world player of the year in 2008 but has struggled for form this season – and is yet to score a try on tour. He said: "The hunger’s still there. I worked hard enough in training and games. But it hasn’t gone my way – after last year, maybe that was the way it was going to go."

"We should have won. For them to have drawn in the last minute is quite a kick in teeth. Maybe the draw was what they deserved in the game."