France loss still hurts - O'Sullivan

Eddie O'Sullivan has said what every Irish rugby fan thought in the immediate aftermath of Ireland's 43-13 stuffing of England - neither the victory nor the manner in which it was achieved can take away the pain of a last-gasp defeat by France in the previous game.  Had Ireland played out the final few minutes against the defending champions calmly and professionally, a Grand Slam would currently be there for the taking.  Now, an intriguing final few games await us, including a real rarity - France visiting Twickenham in a game that all Irish fans will want England to win.

Of the infuriating last-minute defeat O' Sullivan said:  "If France gave us a good hiding or won by 10 or 15 points it would be easier to take. But if we go on to win the next two matches that France game will always be in the back of our minds."  For this fan, what is really gutting about that defeat is seeing how resoundingly average France were in beating Wales at the weekend.  That and the no-doubt false hope that England or Scotland might do us a favour down the line, anyway.