Brian O’Driscoll on what really concerns him about Ireland following France defeat
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Defeat.
Ireland left Paris last night with more questions than answers — and that, perhaps more than the result itself, is what will worry Andy Farrell most.
France were good without ever needing to be great. Ireland were competitive without ever truly looking comfortable. And when the game demanded clarity, control and conviction, it was the home side who calmly stepped through the gears while Ireland seemed stuck searching for solutions.
This wasn’t a collapse. It wasn’t a blowout. But it was a performance that quietly reinforced a number of fears that had been bubbling under the surface in the build-up to the Six Nations opener.
The most glaring issue was Ireland’s attacking decision-making. Too often, promising platforms ended the same way: a box kick launched into a contest Ireland didn’t consistently win.
In isolation, kicking isn’t the problem — Ireland have built a lot of their recent success on smart aerial pressure — but against France, the execution and intent felt mismatched.
There was a sense of pre-programming rather than reacting to what was in front of them. Set-up plays were followed diligently, phases were stacked, and then — almost on cue — the ball went skyward. The problem? France were ready.
Ireland weren’t dominant enough in the air to justify the gamble, and without that edge, momentum fizzled out repeatedly.
Speaking after the game on ITV, former Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll said he is now worried about the “vulnerability” of Ireland following another harrowing defeat.
“If you’re going to the air, you have to win the air,” O’Driscoll said.
“There were so many setup plays, one, two, three, phases, then Gibson-Park going to the box kick…
“I think what’s nerve-wracking about this is that our concerns before the game were somewhat reinforced.
“In truth, France were only in third gear in that second half. They were able to go through the gears when they needed to in that second half, they were able to close it out.
“I don’t know where outside of this 23 we’re going to make improvements for the rest of the competition…
“I think what concerns me is that now there’s a vulnerability to this team. Other sides will be looking at us thinking ‘this is nothing like the Irish team that was at the World Cup in Paris two years ago’.
“This is a team very much in transition and there are scalps to be had. Italy will come to town next week, and there will be other sides as well that go ‘we can beat this Irish team’.
“I don’t know if that has been truly realistic in some cases in previous years.”
