BERNARD JACKMAN: Ireland hamstrung by lengthy injury list

Time tells you a lot.

Ask me what I thought about Saturday’s draw in the immediate aftermath and you would have got a negative reaction. Ask me today, after taking time to analyse it, and you get the positive side.

Looking at the two teamsheets last week, in particular the differences in perceived quality on the bench, and you would have expected France to win. Factor in Ireland’s injury list as well, particularly taking into account the quality of players who were missing, and you have to credit Ireland’s performance.