Cian Healy: Ireland need to play with a 'different venom' in Rome

Ireland need to beat Italy to hold up their end of the bargain next weekend. 

BOWING OUT: Ireland's Cian Healy dejected after the match. PIC: INPHO/Dan Sheridan

This week’s dawn brings with it an unfamiliar and unwelcome reality for some of Simon Easterby’s Ireland squad as the reigning champions get their heads around the French defeat and a curious job of work to come in Rome.

The older legion will have seen this before on the Test stage. For all of Ireland’s successes in the modern era, disappointments are inevitable, but there is a younger brigade that has known nothing only ultimate success in the Six Nations.