Anyone expecting the French to pitch up in Dublin on Saturday and roll over after losing their opening three games in the Six Nations for the first time since 1982 had better think again.

IRELAND’s last two performances in the Six Nations haven’t been unlike the tournament itself — after an opening weekend of promise, it’s all petered out into mediocrity.

This must rank as one of the most disappointing defeats for an Ireland side in the Six Nations championship for a long, long time.

Ireland must start well for so many reasons

Here we are, just short of three weeks since that must win opening game against Wales in the Six Nations and once again Ireland face more of the same — another can’t lose contest.

SO, the only two sides in the Six Nations showing a degree of consistency are at opposite ends of the table.

If anything, Ireland were the far more tentative and suspect-looking outfit in the opening period

The three key issues that will decide Ireland’s fate

In a sport obsessed with size since going professional 18 years ago, it was uplifting at the weekend to see welcome proof that a good big one doesn’t always beat a good little one.

So much for predictions of conservative rugby to open up the Six Nations championship.