Donal Lenihan's Paris inquest: A performance from a bygone era as Irish chase skillful French shadows

The skillset, offloading ability and counter-attacking play of every French player was at a different level to Ireland.

TAKE OFF: Théo Attissogbe of France beats the tackle from Jack Crowley of Ireland on his way to scoring his side's fifth try. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

When comparing the respective line-ups in advance of kick-off at the Stade de France on Thursday night, it was difficult not to feel a sense of foreboding.

Between them, Toulouse and Bordeaux Begles, the shining lights of the Top 14 and both playing scintillating rugby at present, not only supplied six of the starting back line, but 14 players overall to the French match day squad.