Ronan O'Gara: Ramos on a different level as the misery rained down on Ireland in Paris

SPECIAL: France full back Thomas Ramos clears the ball on the try line ahead of Sam Prendergast at Stade de France in Paris. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

IT wasn’t long after four o’clock Thursday when the rain started in Paris. By half time in the Six Nations opener at the Stade de France it was pouring, points for the French and drowning misery for Ireland.

There was a modicum of encouragement for Ireland in the third quarter, though it must be put in context. This one was done.

In any pre-match scenario, Ireland’s competitiveness was inextricably tied to denying the hosts the momentum to find their flow state. In this Ireland failed early and too often. There is no side in world rugby as devastating with a tail wind as the French.

The conditions at the Stade de France could have been a leveller, but Fabien Galthie and his management have worked to remove any excuse as a first refuge. The captain, back after serious injury, set the benchmark for ingenuity and intensity but he wasn’t alone. Often, Thomas Ramos is playing a different game at a pace two seconds quicker than anyone else. The man is a superb operator, the best of the best. 

The Lyon lock Mickael Guillard was exceptional, as was Mathieu Jalibert and the wing wonder Louis Bielle-Biarrey. His opening try killed any early Irish momentum in its tracks. Too soon, Ireland’s limited options looked a problem. The Stade de France is a brutal arena to be trying to find your test feet.

Where so much emphasis in Ireland revolves around depth charts and four-year cycles, France are a year and copious options further down that autoroute. Last summer Galthie took a squad of callow hopefuls down to New Zealand, with a startling 17 uncapped players. Eyebrows were raised at home and down under but the espoirs delivered three seriously encouraging displays, albeit in defeat, to make for a very productive expedition.

Here’s the thing. For all the criticism of Ireland’s disinclination (or inability) to experiment, only two of the French side who started that first July test against the All Blacks started against Ireland on Thursday night – Attissogbe and back row Guillard. The point is this: as much as future-proofing is key, nobody can afford to be throwing the greatest international tournament in rugby history out with the trash either. A sold out Stade de France said as much. Clearly on the basic of an absolutely electric first 40, France still value the Six Nations as much as ever.

Nevertheless, with their playing depth, England and France are the ones this spring who can afford half an eye on next year. Galthie is looking for new lads to juice up the conversation and make management meetings very interesting. Wingers for example, especially on the right. If the World Cup final was tomorrow, Damien Penaud still starts. So does Gael Fickou in the centre, by the by. Just because he has played so many games and may look understated, he might come across as under-appreciated. He’s not.

The Pau wing Theo Attissogbe got his opportunity last night, and while much of the pressure was down the Ireland right, he’s a very good player, with good aerial skills, really fast and confident. Gael Drean is in serious nick for Toulon too in the same position but can’t get into the French 23 just yet.

It wasn’t exposed here but the French front row is a problem, Jean-Baptiste Gros and Dorian Aldegheri got the nod and Régis Montagne was the impact on the tighthead side. This is the problem spot for Galthie, exacerbated obviously with the longevity of Uini Atonio and his sudden loss. On the tiny plateau of elite test rugby, this is a definitive difference right now between South Africa and France. It’s not hooker, it’s the props where the vulnerability lies. And there is obvious irony in the fact that one of the best and most versatile props in the Top 14 is Joel Merkler - who represents Spain. That must be a source of serious envy in the French quarter.

The Montpellier back row Lenni Nouchi is another newbie who earned his international wings against Ireland last night, an animal of a back row to keep an eye on. It is the area of the pitch France they have a flock of options.

There are eleven Toulouse players in the extended French squad yet no one sees that as a problem in the same way that Ireland people do with Leinster’s domination. It’s something to bark at if you are from another Irish province but if the environment is right, once you are inside the tent, and you get to Six Nations week, no one gives tuppence who you play for on the club circuit.

What isn’t ideal is the same Irish players are being asked to go to the well year after year, and that infusion of new names and young blood isn’t coming through for Ireland at anything like the rate you’d hope – it leads to a limited pick.

Galthie omitted Penaud, Fickou and Greg Alldritt – can Ireland consider doing the same with Doris, Lowe and Ringrose/Henshaw?

I was clutching, but I felt the conditions might exercise a few question marks I had around the chemistry of France’s selection. And that good old achilles heel of temperament. Could Ireland rub them up the wrong way? Matthieu Jalibert is on fire in the Top 14, but how far removed the domestic league is from test match intensity was something he had to calibrate rally quickly. In fairness with front foot ball and Dupont constantly moving the point of the offence, it was an armchair ride for the Bordeaux ten.

There is no doubt that they could rip any team apart when they catch the mood. It must have been a core Ireland strategy to get into France – with that managed, the focus might turn to how the fickle French temperament would respond. For 15 second half minutes, Ireland posed some issues, went over for a pair of tries and threatened a third. Momentarily, it could have gotten interesting. Had France the poise to rebound. Serin picked up the pace and they scampered over for a fifth time. 36-14 felt about fair though France might felt a little underwhelmed. 

But Ireland had a midfield penalty in the second period and Prendergast didn't get the distance his forwards desperately needed to get their teeth into. It could have been 29-21 and now Ireland could test their pulse. It was the key second half moment. Leaving the ground a lot of French supporters were talking about the fighting Irish more than their own side's first half tour de force.

The Six Nations has forever been thus, the sum of all the parts scrutinised in every way possible. It has this gorgeous capacity to kick the form guide up in the air. For instance if Scotland transfer was Glasgow Warriors are doing, they may make for an interesting joker in the pack. And yet who would raise an eyebrow if they came a cropper in Rome on Saturday. Scotland get to a point, time and again, but can’t seem to stay sure-footed enough to take the final step or two.

England have November’s pep in their step and they have depth and options to map out their journey to 2027 and Australia like France. By the time Ireland land in Twickenham, Steve Borthwick may have a fair wind in his tail. The final night meeting of France and England does have a look of climax about it.