Foley’s input could fashion unlikely win

Paris has been the burial ground of many burgeoning Irish rugby international careers.

I have grown up in a generation that has known little but heartache against the French. Every second year I would sit hopefully in front of the television, wishing this could be our year. Fred Cogley’s commentary always started optimistically but as the game wore on even he winced as the French opened up on the helpless Irish.

So many great French backs showcased their class against Ireland. Blanco, Lagisquet, Sella, Saint-Andre, Ntamack, Barnat Salles and Clerc were but a few of the greats who left Irish tacklers flailing as they cruised in for score after score.