Defeat to France can stand to Ireland in long term

Ireland lost a Six Nations game yesterday evening but what did they win?

A superb France outfit, who will surely go on to win the title, needed all their reserve to prevail, outscored by three tries to two as they were.

Those blasted French taking their points when on offer - sacrebleu!

But Ireland were close at the death, and with a little bit more luck could have snatched victory.

However, this defeat and its manner will stand to Andy Farrell's charges.

The worst outcome we can imagine is a scenario where Joey Carbery fell flat on his face in the biggest Test of his career.

Instead, burdened or blessed, whichever you want, with a two-week break until Italy rock up at the Aviva, there should ensue a reasoned debate about whether the Munster out-half keeps his place or the captain comes back in.

In these Covid times, reasoned debate has gone out the window but let’s welcome it with open arms in the safety of mere sports quandary.

Johnny Sexton is rehabbing from a mild hamstring injury and Farrell played down its severity last week. He indicated that the 36-year-old would be fit for the Azzurri.

Carbery, meanwhile, on his first competitive start, earned the following plaudits: "Excellent, obviously everyone was curious to see how he would go but it didn’t surprise us.

"He was very confident and assured. He kicked beautifully for goal and I think he controlled the game pretty well for us."

That was his boss, Andy Farrell.

His half-back partner chimed in.

"I thought he was awesome," said try-scorer Jamison Gibson-Park. "Joey's come a long way; he was class today, fair play to him."

Drop that?

Maybe, but drop him without a Ward-Campbell, Humphreys-O’Gara, O’Gara-Sexton-style debate? No thanks.

Feel free to be as polite as you want to Italy