Gallic power and flair can tame Pumas

IMAGINE for one moment that Ireland were drawn to open their Pool D campaign against France at Stade de France this evening.

Apart from the fact that Shane Horgan would be unavailable, Brian O’Driscoll is just about be fit to play and David Wallace would potentially start his first game in four months.

On the back of under-whelming performances against Scotland and Italy, and against such formidable opposition, Ireland would be vulnerable and exposed.