McFadden: Huge step up in pace

It was a tough night at the office for Fergus McFadden last Saturday.

The Leinster utility back was charged with containing new All Black sensation Julian Savea on the left wing, but things did not go according to plan.

Savea, making his debut in the black jersey, ran riot in a three-try man-of-the-match display, while the giant Hurricanes flyer burst through the Irish rearguard on several other occasions.

McFadden had to deal with heavy traffic down his right wing and was caught in no man’s land for Savea’s second try.

The Leinster man admitted the pace of the game was a step above anything he had ever experienced.

“I was talking to (Keith) Earls after and I don’t think I have ever felt as exposed after a couple of phases,” said McFadden on defending his right wing.

“I felt they had three men over every time. Whether that was down to quickness of ball or lack of workrate around the corner (of the ruck), we’ll have to look at the video. It’s very, very hard to contain. ”

Ireland had their moments and were full of enterprise in the opening quarter, but McFadden was refusing to dwell on the positives from his teams’ 42-10 thrashing.

“There was a 15-minute period at the start where we strung some good phases together and put them under pressure,” he said on Ireland’s bright start.

“We probably didn’t take our chances, but I don’t think it was a good performance. We turned the ball over too many times against them and if you turn the ball over as easy and as often as we did towards the latter end of the first-half and throughout the second they’re going to punish you.

“You think the French are good at turnover but they’re twice as good. They’ve got the likes of Dagg, Guildford and Carter to spot the space so quickly and we’re going to have to learn from that.

This series is shaping up to be a tour of hell with two more tests against the world champions to come and Ireland counting more walking wounded by the day.

McFadden, however, was in fighting form and was looking forward to having another crack at Steve Hansen’s outfit next weekend.

“The only good thing is that we have two more opportunities.. Thankfully it’s not the last game of the season, we’ve two more chances. All you can do is look at those positives.”