French rugby's secret weapon in their quest for improved discipline? Jérôme Garces

Garces has been a hands-on presence at training, refereeing training games and explaining why he blew the whistle, as well as delivering video presentations

Jerome Garces, refereeing a Munster clash in the Champions Cup in 2018. The French whistler has been drafted into the national sides' training camp to officiate training games and take video sessions. Picture: INPHO/Dan Sheridan

It's a truism, but no less valid for all that: Ireland and France could not have had more different opening weekends in the 2021 Six Nations.

The facts are stark. Ireland led but ultimately lost a brutal, bruising encounter in Cardiff after Peter O'Mahony was sent off; France romped to a seven-tries-to-one 40-point win over Italy in Rome.