Time to give youth its fling

HAVING been universally acclaimed as the favourites for this year’s championship, it is inevitable that Ireland’s sense of disappointment is more acute than any of the other participants.

Over the last decade, France and England have dominated the competition to such a degree that, at this stage, they are content to look forward in the knowledge that their rebuilding process will ensure a collective drive for honours next season.

Overall, the quality of rugby on offer was disappointing. It was fitting that the game of the championship, France v Wales in Paris, decided the top two teams.