Paul O'Connell on Portugal pasting: 'We can only beat what is put in front of us'

Ireland hammered the hosts in Lisbon on Saturday. 

Ireland interim head coach Paul O'Connell with supporters after the International Rugby Test match between Portugal and Ireland at Estádio Nacional do Jamor in Lisbon. Pic: David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

A record win for Ireland and a biggest ever defeat for Portugal, but Paul O’Connell was more interested in effort and attitude than any line his team added to the history books in Lisbon on Saturday evening.

The 106-7 defeat of the Portuguese by his second-string side made for the biggest ever victory and the most points scored in the history of the men’s senior Test team. For the hosts it was a black day in the history less than two years since a breakthrough World Cup.