Ireland‘s trouncing of France in Marseille – a record Irish win on French soil – trashed most pundits prediction of a Gallic Grand Slam, including yours truly.
Where Ireland were outstanding in securing an opening five try bonus point victory, turning their World Cup dismay into a powerful potion, France were as flat as a crepe, with none of their autumn verve and cohesion.
The collective bite, accuracy, discipline and energy that has characterised the French defensive game since the arrival of Shaun Edwards was missing in action, and Ireland punished their frequent lapses ruthlessly.
Paul Willemse’s double yellow cards translating to a first-half red for two high hits was the tip of the iceberg that sunk France, but another Irish trump card was their harrying of Maxime Lucu. Antoine Dupont’s scrum-half understudy was not helped by the French forwards being so disjointed, but the arrival of the young Racing No.9 Nolan Le Garrec at least brought some urgency.
The concern for France is that key players like Greg Alldritt, Charles Ollivon, Matthieu Jalibert, Gael Fickou and Thomas Ramos failed to provide a rallying point. As for the Irish, a second successive Grand Slam beckons.
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