O’Callaghan: intensity of the players was ‘through the roof’
“This one showed you can’t afford to make a mistake, because the intensity of it was through the roof. Guys were sucking for air afterwards, but we will be all the better for it. We now have a bit more clarity as to what we’re about,” he said.
Fear of losing played a huge role in keeping Ireland focused, as O’Callaghan revealed. “We certainly didn’t want a repeat of 2007. We showed great strength of character in responding when they came to within two points. Now it will be a question of trying to build on the momentum.
“It’s really crucial to get that first win, it was a massive lift for the rest of the campaign. We deserved it, we were very competitive at the breakdown, everything was very positive, from our attack to our defence. Even in the last few minutes it wouldn’t have mattered had they scored, but we were determined not to let them in. The concentration and focus was incredible.”
O’Callaghan believes Ireland will get better. “There might have been a few grey areas in the autumn about our game plan, but there is clarity now; we know better what Les (Kiss) wants in defence, what Gert (Smal) wants from the forwards, and how to play the type of game Declan wants us to.”
For David Wallace, victory was a relief. “They’re few and far between so we have to savour it. It was a very hard fought game and that makes the win sweeter. We really had to push ourselves and take the chances; every time they rose, we rose as well,” he said.
He singled out Jamie Heaslip for special mention. Tongue in cheek, he remarked: “He left nothing for the rest of us, if he wasn’t scoring his try he was poaching. It was a brilliant performance and I’m delighted for him.
“The back row is a very competitive area when you think that a guy like Denis Leamy was on the bench and neither Alan Quinlan nor Shane Jennings could make the 22. Competition is getting hotter, for sure.”
But if Wallace basked in the warm afterglow of victory, he sees trouble potentially looming in the form of Italy in Rome next week.
“The physicality we were required to produce against France will tee us up for Rome, but it’s going to be difficult. There is always room for improvement and Italy in Rome will be a different proposition from Italy at Twickenham.”
Skipper Brian O’Driscoll is of the same mind, content in the knowledge that Ireland have taken one step, but only one, towards a Six Nations title that has eluded them for almost 25 years.
“It was very satisfying, particularly because the win came against pretty determined opposition,” he said.
“I was pleased with the way we reacted when they came to within two points; we appeared to learn from two years ago, the way we hunted them down and got the score to push us further ahead. We weren’t going to give it up too easily.”
But O’Driscoll sees the win as just one positive step forward. “To beat a top class France side was great, but let’s not get carried away. You can’t win the Six Nations title in the first game but you can lose it; we’re happy with performance, we will enjoy it but get over it and get on with it.”
Ronan O’Gara had a gut instinct Ireland would win. “I had a feeling throughout the week how the team was going to play. I spoke about it to Donncha (O’Callaghan) who asked me if I was nervous before the game and I wasn’t. That would be rare because of how long it was since we beat France.
“I thought we thought our way through the game well. I was impressed with the game plan we had, it’s a new game plan and there will be room for improvement, but we can be happy for now. I’d like to think that it is a good starting point.”
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