Donal Lenihan: After a sobering weekend, Ireland must finish on a high

Seeing France take over the Aviva Stadium on the pitch and off it was a wake-up call. 

GENERATION GAME: British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell during the Bank of Ireland Leinster Rugby Boys Schools Junior Cup semi-final match between Blackrock College and St Vincent's Castleknock College at Energia Park in Dublin. Pic: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

On a sobering weekend for Irish rugby, it’s time to take stock. Friday night's victory for the French U20 side over their Irish counterparts at Musgrave Park should not only have been even more comprehensive, it offered a glimpse into the future and another reminder of the impact an excess of power has in the modern game.

French tight head prop Mohamed Megherbi was listed in the French squad at 150kg. Apparently he’s lost a bit of weight recently. That’s 23st 8lbs in old money. He’s 19 years of age. We just don’t breed young men like that. Despite playing nowhere near their capability, the French still ran out convincing winners.