Colin Sheridan: Beating the Boks was a bittersweet victory

On the face of it, beating the World Champions South Africa in an absorbing (there’s a “only in rugby” word for you) encounter on primetime TV should only be a positive thing.

BITTERSWEET? Ireland team applaud the fans after the final whistle.

AN old F. Scott Fitzgerald line came whispering in my ear as the Irish rugby team completed their lap of honour around the Stade de France on Saturday night.

“The test of a first-rate intelligence”, Scottie said, “is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in the mind at the same time, and still retain the ability to function.”