French wreck Grand Slam hopes. Quelle surprise?

Ireland 19 France 26: So the Grand Slam slipped away without so much as a by-your-leave at the Old Ruin last Saturday. The perennial question of which French side would turn up to play was put to bed in a matter of seconds from Rona O’Gara’s kick off, when, Les Bleus, expecting the Irish to rip right into them, mauled Ireland backwards 15-20 metres. Ireland had no answer, the French, smelled the old familiar whiff of Irish fear and nerves. Plus ca change.....

That old chestnut of a question as to whether France would be bothered to turn up and play should have been put to bed years back, not a matter of mere seconds into the penultimate hurdle of Grand Slam tilt.

Apart from a couple of victories at the turn of the century, Ireland have never really had a sniff of victory against France. The last three encounters between the two have seen Ireland either blown off the park or had their game plan strangled. They may have their off days against the other Championship contenders, but the Les Bleus love playing Ireland. Also, they have won four Grand Chelem in the last eight years. Not bad for a side who now and then don’t turn up to play.

From, the moment Ireland took the field on Saturday it looked like their body language was all wrong. Too many nervous faces. It all translated into the performance on the pitch. No power, no punch and no aggression. All grist to the mill for a French side.

Now Ireland must regroup and take their bag of nerves to a partisan Cardiff, where, the Welsh await their first Slam since 1978.

If Ireland can manage to regroup and gain some confidence, then their conservative way of playing could frustrate a Welsh side that will be filled to the brim with emotion.

Too much emotion and sides make mistakes, too little, and they can stand-off a la Ireland against France.

If Ireland can play on Welsh emotions, then a second Triple Crown in-a-row won’t be a bad reward for Ireland. It shows how far they’ve come though , that it’ll be scant consolation for the Slam.