The Fort Worth Press - Irish must move on from French disappointment, says Easterby

France, even without injured talisman Antoine Dupont, are in the box seat entering the final round of matches.

A bonus point win at home to unpredictable Scotland would see them crowned champions for the first time since 2022. Even without the bonus point, their points difference is so vast that they are still likely champions even if England take five points from their match in Cardiff.

Ireland's hopes of an unprecedented third successive title realistically rest on them thrashing Italy, with Scotland beating France and Wales upsetting England.

Former Ireland flanker Easterby has been in a similar position as a player.

In 2007 the Irish beat Italy on the last day but the French overcame the Scots to take the title by dint of having a better points difference -- just four.

Easterby, though, acknowledges the whole camp are "deflated" after the French overwhelmed them scoring 34 unanswered points from 13-8 down early in the second-half, and dashed their hopes of the Grand Slam.

Two late converted tries by the Irish gave the scoreboard a more respectable look.

They at least have the Triple Crown as a consolation but their first Six Nations home defeat since 2021, also by the French, added to the sense of gloom.

Easterby said it was "devastating that we've not been able to produce a better performance" against the French and wants his players to step up when they go to Rome.

"I guess that's the challenge now, to put that disappointment behind them, and get themselves together, stay nice and tight, understand why we didn't get the result," said Easterby.

"Understand how we can get better next week and that's all they're ever about, just getting better whether we win or lose."

- 'Bounce back' -

Easterby, who said the Irish had made the French look better than they are, believes there is more to come from his players.

"We still have a chance," said Easterby.

"We still genuinely feel like there's more in us.

"They're brilliant at just taking the positives, understanding why they didn't quite click and get the most out of the game. They'll work incredibly hard together to put in a performance next weekend."

Easterby, who has been linked with the full-time Wales head coach role, said he had faith in the squad showing their character just as they had in their victories over England, Scotland and the Welsh.

"It is disappointing the defeat but it's the game at the highest level. It's those teams that find a way to win and we've done that a few times in the last few games," he said.

Easterby said he hoped the younger players would get past the disappointment and learn from the 25-minute pasting they took in the second-half.

The match was quite a wake-up call for wings Jamie Osborne and Calvin Nash as well as 22-year-old fly-half Sam Prendergast, whose pass close to the French line late in the match was intercepted and resulted in the visitors scoring at the other end.

Osborne and Nash, who was sin-binned in what was the turning point in the match when France moved 15-13 ahead, played because of injuries to the dynamic duo of Mack Hansen and James Lowe.

"You'll always reflect on moments in the game which gave them that momentum," said Easterby of the younger players.

"Maybe, in certain times we were on the attack and we got turned over or we weren't quite accurate enough."

Easterby praised his players, saying their performances in the past few years have been an "inspiration" for the country, but added that highs and lows were part and parcel of a rugby player's life.

"I don't think you ever go through your career without having a few lows and disappointments and I know that the players will bounce back," said Easterby.

"They'll be disappointed with what's gone on today but they will want to finish strong."

W.Matthews--TFWP