Kidney rues what might have been

In different circumstances, say three weeks ago, this might have been considered a famous result for Irish rugby.

Instead, the Ireland squad and head coach Declan Kidney left Stade de France last night with feelings very definitely of the glass half-empty variety.

For the second year in a row an RBS 6 Nations Grand Slam dream has been crushed by a wholehearted Irish effort, but whereas England were put to the sword 12 months ago in Dublin, there was as much disappointment in the Ireland dressing room yesterday as there was in the French one.