Nallet hoping for déjà vu at Croker

It should have been the perfect day. Croke Park, brimful with expectation, had opened its doors to rugby for the first time but, on a historic day of outward celebration for Irish sport, all was silenced by a piece of late Gallic magic.

For Irish supporters, France’s first visit to GAA headquarters two years ago is tinged with the bitter memory of Toulouse flyer Vincent Clerc stealing in for a last-minute, match-winning try.

And the dream of a first Ireland Grand Slam since 1948 was left in shreds, after just two rounds of the Six Nations.