How Ireland deal with this will tell a lot

WHEN the rival brass bands from various rugby regions of southern France are playing in unison after only 25 minutes, you know you’re in serious trouble.

One of the most decorated Irish sides to represent this country travelled to Paris with serious intent and a genuine belief that they could create their own piece of history at the weekend, but ultimately fared no better than the vast majority of their predecessors.

There was a time Irish teams were beaten before they left home, but this group are hewn from sterner stuff. That is why a defeat of this magnitude is even more difficult to come to terms with. Eighteen months out from the next World Cup, these are the type of challenges that this squad must conquer.