Gerry Thornley was impressed by Ireland's Six Nations bow against France at Croke Park - read his thoughts in the Irish Times.
"Ireland have had huge one-off performances before. In fact, last season’s Six Nations was arguably the first in a decade in which they didn’t scale the heights at least once and Wales’ clinical opening defence of their crown in Murrayfield yesterday was a reminder that the mountain top is a bit away yet. But at least Ireland are on a high again and move on to Rome with the Big Mo – momentum.
"The degree to which this team’s confidence had drained away had taken Declan Kidney and his coaching staff by surprise last November. To rediscover such belief and ambition was a tribute to the Irish Brains Trust, for there’s no way on earth they’d have beaten this French team last season or even last November. This team needed a big win like this and, though it might sound a little trite, the rest of us did too."
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