Comment: Confident Ireland starting to feel at home in Paris

The world's No 1 team played with utter belief in Saint-Denis.

TON UP: Ireland's Peter O'Mahony and Scotland's Finn Russell. Picture: INPHO/Dan Sheridan

The smile on Caelan Doris’ face as Ireland’s Call drifted through all three tiers of the Stade de France said it all. It wasn’t a smirk, or a nervous nanosecond. It was the type of look that screamed utter confidence and a preternatural ease with where he was. It was a smile that spoke for Ireland.

Rarely has the nation had the chance to approach an event of this importance with anything like the serenity and belief that poured through the veins and arteries of Paris’ many arrondissements on Saturday. It was a vibe, but more than that. It was an understanding. An acceptance. This will be done.