Wellington hangover just as painful

THIS defeat feels every bit asbad as Wellington even if the consequences are not quite as drastic.

That said any hopes and ambitions of a Grand Slam or Triple Crown have evaporated and with thedisadvantage of a six-day turnaround to the French game, things could get even worse. Experience has shown that trips to Paris, where Ireland have only managed to win once in the last 40 years, tend to concentrate the mind. Declan Kidney and his men have a lot of soul searching to dobefore boarding the plane on Friday.

France for their part were asfrustrating as ever to watch against Italy on Saturday and in a tournament that could well be decided by points differential, a winning margin of 18 points against a poor Italian side may let the door open for those yet to face the Azzurri.