Lack of attack could see Valentine’s date with France turn bloody

THE HEINEKEN Cup is dominating rugby thoughts at present but Ireland’s Six Nations opener away to France is only three weeks away.

Fri, 23 Jan, 2004 - 00:00

Inevitably, some players have suffered a World Cup hangover while others, such as Gordon D’Arcy and David Wallace have benefited by missing the tournament. While Connacht are enjoying a wonderful season and Ulster have impressed at Ravenhill, the team to face France will still be Munster-Leinster based.

So where do we stand?

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CourtsRugbyPlace: RavenhillPlace: New ZealandPlace: AustraliaPlace: Stade de FrancePerson: Gordon D’ArcyPerson: David WallacePerson: Reggie CorriganPerson: Marcus HoranPerson: HoranPerson: John HayesPerson: Shane ByrnePerson: Frankie SheahanPerson: ByrnePerson: Bernard JackmanPerson: Malcolm O’KellyPerson: Paul O’ConnellPerson: Donncha O’CallaghanPerson: NuffPerson: Neil McMillanPerson: Roger WilsonPerson: Johnny O’ConnorPerson: Victor CostelloPerson: Anthony FoleyPerson: WallacePerson: FoleyPerson: GleesonPerson: Simon EasterbyPerson: Peter StringerPerson: Guy EasterbyPerson: Brian O’MearaPerson: O’GaraPerson: HumphreysPerson: O’DriscollPerson: Kevin MaggsPerson: Mike MullinsPerson: John KellyPerson: Shane HorganPerson: D’ArcyPerson: Anthony HorganPerson: Geordan MurphyPerson: Girvan DempseyPerson: Shaun PaynePerson: Jeremy StauntonPerson: Paddy WallacePerson: HickiePerson: MurphyPerson: G DempseyPerson: S HorganPerson: B O’DriscollPerson: GPerson: K MaggsPerson: R O’GaraPerson: P StringerPerson: A FoleyPerson: K GleesonPerson: D WallacePerson: P O’ConnellPerson: D O’CallaghanPerson: J HayesPerson: S ByrnePerson: R CorriganPerson: D HumphreysPerson: B O’MearaPerson: J KellyPerson: M HoranPerson: F SheahanPerson: G LongwellPerson: S EasterbyEvent: Heineken CupEvent: NationsEvent: World CupEvent: WorldEvent: Valentine’s DayOrganisation: FranceOrganisation: IrelandOrganisation: ConnachtOrganisation: UlsterOrganisation: MunsterOrganisation: Leinster
<p>TOPSHOT - Japan's Ryunosuke Ito (C) runs to score a try during the Lipovitan D Challenge Cup rugby union Test match against Australia at Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Higashiosaka, Osaka prefecture, on August 8, 2026. (Photo by Philip FONG / AFP via Getty Images)</p>

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Donal Lenihan
Donal Lenihan

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