Donal Lenihan: Short-term pain, but plenty of gain in the long run for Ireland

TIGHT SQUEEZE: France’s Anthony Jelonch is tackled by Ireland skipper James Ryan and back row Caelan Doris in Saturday’s 30-24 victory for Les Blues. Picture: Billy Stickland/Inpho

Now we know. Ireland are a very good side but, at the moment, France are just that little bit better. The challenge for Andy Farrell and his management team is to close that gap between now and the World Cup in 19 months’ time.

Built up for months as the potential game of the championship, it’s rare for these contests to live up to their pre-match billing. Not only did this one manage to do just that, it surpassed all our expectations in a game of high intensity, tense drama, and bristling intent to the final whistle.