Ireland and France exceed all expectations with game for the ages

Irish fans dreaming of Grand Slam glory following 32-19 bonus point victory over the French in Dublin.

TWO DOWN: Ireland players celebrate as Garry Ringrose (centre) scores their side's fourth try of the game during the Guinness Six Nations match at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. Picture date: Saturday February 11, 2023.

Anticipation and reality rarely match up on the balance sheet. Not with games like this. How many World Cup finals or Heineken Cup deciders have come up short on some line of the ledger? Too tight, too attritional, too cagey. Too-one sided, maybe. This one, somehow, exceeded the hype.

The stadium on Lansdowne Road has housed every human emotion in its long history. Everything from euphoria to agony. Giddy describes the place best here. Giddiness mixed with a cocktail of wonder and almost disbelief. We had hoped for the game of the Championship, we were given a game for the ages.