Donal Lenihan: That final whistle in Paris was painful, so let's start anew in Marseille
Nothing symbolises a new beginning more than the prospect of Jack Crowley being handed the famous No 10 shirt as he starts a Six Nations game for the first time in his career in succession to Johnny Sexton.
NEW ERA: Irish Rugby Head Coach, Andy Farrell, and captain Peter O’Mahony with the Guinness Six Nations trophy. Picture: INPHO/Billy Stickland
Just imagine the dynamic. For the first time since that traumatic night in Paris, when the hopes and dreams of a hugely committed and hugely driven body of men came crashing down against New Zealand at the World Cup, the Irish squad have reunited as one.
Not only had Andy Farrell’s talented squad set their sights on making a first ever World Cup semi final but, ever since that ground-breaking series win in New Zealand in the summer of 2022, winning the Webb Ellis trophy was the only item on the agenda.
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