LOOKING at some of the reaction from the media and supporters, you would think Ireland made up for their World Cup failure with their opening Six Nations victory over France on Friday night.
But it is hard to ignore the fact that the French played nearly an hour with 14 men, after South African-born lock Paul Willemse first received an early yellow card, and then a second around the half-hour mark to be sent off permanently at Marseille’s Stade Velodrome.
So, the 38-17 score line slightly flattered the Irish, especially as France had shown real resolve to fight back to make it 17-10 by half-time.