‘Elation’ and ‘achievement’ still fresh 12 years on for Foley

Not that it would happen, but if Anthony Foley were to face a “show us your medals” moment in his first week as Ireland’s stand-in forwards coach, he would be one of a select few to have savoured a Six Nations win in Paris.

Foley was Ireland’s No.8 at Stade de France the day the hosts were beaten 27-25, and of the crop preparing this week to repeat that feat of March 19, 2000, only Ronan O’Gara is around to have shared the moment with him.

Now the Munster forwards coach, who has taken the reins of the Irish pack in the absence of Gert Smal for the rest of this year’s Six Nations championship, is eager to help his new charges savour a similar experience this Sunday afternoon at Stade de France.