Let’s keep this in perspective

YES, it was a chastening experience but good times can still lie ahead for Ireland.

France demonstrated at an icy Stade de France on Saturday that on home territory they remain a team to be feared by any in the world. And in spite of the 23-point drubbing, there is, as yet, no reason to believe Ireland have suddenly become a poor side.

In much the same vein, France need to prove they can perform away from home with the same intensity as they demonstrated on Saturday while the Irish must demonstrate that their star is not on the wane after a stellar 2009.