O’Donovan: no hurt pride in my pack

NIALL O’DONOVAN has rejected suggestions the Ireland pack are suffering hurt pride following last weekend’s hugely physical battle with Georgia.

Asked whether it has been a testing week as Ireland forwards coach O’Donovan hit back at the suggestion that his pack are somewhat “hurt” going into tomorrow night’s key pool clash against France.

“The players’ pride wasn’t hurt,” said a surprised O’Donovan. “I was talking to them. Can you tell me what they lost in that game? It’s the first I heard of hurt pride.”