Donal Lenihan: Now is the time for Ireland's leaders to emerge

The character that was so evident on the field in almost defying the odds to win in Cardiff can lay the foundations for a monumental test against a supremely confident French side

Tadhg Beirne and Robbie Henshaw were among Ireland’s best performers on a day when every player went above and beyond in an attempt to negate their numerical disadvantage. Picture: INPHO/Tommy Dickson

Anyone whose been involved in a Six Nations campaign, be it as a player or in management, will appreciate fully just how fraught with danger the opening round of this unforgiving tournament can be.

You’ll take a win, of any kind, with the knowledge that the scope for improvement once that first game is out of the way is huge.