Josh van der Flier predicts Ireland will be “involved in an incredible feat” in their quest for a Guinness Six Nations title once the in-depth investigation into their humiliating defeat to title rivals France is completed.
Simon Easterby's side were keen to travel to Italy next weekend on the brink of an unprecedented third successive Six Nations title.
However, Ireland's chances of winning a Grand Slam title were dealt a decisive blow on Saturday afternoon as Les Bleus secured pole position for a successful finish to the tournament with a decisive 42-27 win in Dublin.
After a chaotic second half in front of a waiting crowd at the Aviva Stadium, the reigning champions now depend on the results of other matches to maintain any chance of winning the trophy.
England, who can now also leapfrog Ireland, kick off their away game against Wales straight after the final whistle in Rome, while leaders France host Scotland in the final match of the tournament on Saturday night.
“It's always difficult from an emotional point of view because you feel disappointed, theoretically there's no momentum this week,” said winger Van der Flier.
“But what we’re going to do is, on Monday and Tuesday, we’re going to analyze the game, we’re going to remember all the negative feelings, the bad emotions, the mistakes that you made and that remain in your memory, we’re going to try to understand what we did wrong and how to fix it.
“You go through all that and then you close the book and take anything that can be improved into the second half of the week, just looking forward to the Italy game.
“It's obviously an opportunity to win the championship, all we can do is what's in our control, so everything will be done to achieve that. I'm sure there will be no shortage of excitement and energy heading into next week.”
Ireland trailed 8-6 at the end of a tense first half in which France lost captain Antoine Dupont to a serious knee injury.
Dan Sheehan's 43rd-minute try looked to have changed the game but Fabien Galthie's men responded with a relentless attack on the exhausted hosts.
The heavy defeat was Ireland's first on home soil in the Six Nations since a 15-13 loss to France in 2021.
Sourse: breakingnews.ie
