French players now get the message

I COULDN’T help but feel sorry for Italy at the final whistle on Saturday at the Stadio Flaminio, watching as their outstanding captain Sergio Parisse sank to his knees, shattered, heartbroken and drained after yet another heroic performance in defeat.

He was the best player on the field by a country mile but yet again had little to show for his efforts.

It reminded me of the experiences of so many decent Irish players in the past who would give their all against a superior force but end up pipped at the finishing line — that famous World Cup quarter-final against Australia a case in point. It took a long time for rugby in this country to shed the tag of gallant losers, but it should allow us a brief pause for empathy with the Italians who are trying so hard to make the breakthrough.