Let’s stop helping the opposition

TWO away victories for England and Ireland and a return to winning ways for the French support the pre-tournament view that the winners of this season’s Six Nations will come from one of Ireland, England and the current champions.

Success in the opening game is everything in this competition and already the first visit of the French to the Aviva Stadium next Sunday looks set to decide Ireland’s fate.

If they play anything like they did in the Stadio Flaminio on Saturday, Ireland can forget about making any further impact on the championship. Ronan O’Gara can only pull off his Houdini act so many times.