Fans watching Ireland's clash with France at the Stade de France took a triple hit.
1. It was an awful, error-strewn game.
2. Ireland lost.
3. An attritional game saw Ireland lose Sean O'Brien and Dave Kearney to injury while Johnny Sexton also departed the pitch with concern for his fitness.
Speaking on BBC after the match, Paul O'Connell felt the pivotal moment was Guy Noves' introduction of a new front row early in the second half.
It was 'the winning of the game' according to O'Connell and a decision which means Ireland's chances of winning a third consecutive Six Nations title are slim.
Here's how Twitter reacted to the game.
French gameplan, injury as many irish players as possible, force Ireland to make 200+ tackles & grind out win. 6 day turn around is brutal
— Gordon D'Arcy (@Gordonwdarcy) February 13, 2016
Why did France change their coach if they are just going to play the same way..
— Gordon D'Arcy (@Gordonwdarcy) February 13, 2016
Can someone please explain how France haven't had two yellow cards for guirado and maestri?
— luke fitzgerald (@lukefitz11) February 13, 2016
Fair play to France , Great battle from Ireland , think sin bin might have been used in first half . But no crying over spilt milk #Rage !
— Paul McGrath (@Paulmcgrath5) February 13, 2016
That was not easy on the eye!
— Brian O'Driscoll (@BrianODriscoll) February 13, 2016
Dreadful match and a poor loss. Injuries killing us but still very poor. Scrum decided the outcome.
— Whiff of Cordite (@WhiffofCordite) February 13, 2016
Ireland's breakdown was unusually shite. Slow rucks all day long. Not out norm.
— Whiff of Cordite (@WhiffofCordite) February 13, 2016
When’s the rugby coming on?
— Andy McGeady (@andymcgeady) February 13, 2016
Hearing that Gonzaga's "neurosurgeon" says Mike McCarthy is grand and should be allowed back on #FRAvIRE
— Nathan Murphy (@nathanmurf) February 13, 2016
"One of the worst French teams I've ever seen" - @RuaidhriOC summing up a bitter defeat in Paris.
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) February 13, 2016
Not buying into the 6 day turnaround excuse. In a professional era that can't be trotted out as the excuse
— Liam Aherne (@laherne95) February 13, 2016
Injuries really taking their toll but Ireland are so one dimensional. Utterly lacking in ambition in that first half, France were vulnerable
— David McIntyre (@DaveMcIntyreNT) February 13, 2016
Balls. Ireland battered after last week. Very winnable game, frustrating. Also a bloody awful game #IREvFRA
— Joe Molloy (@MolloyJoe) February 13, 2016
Well, that was a bit shite wasn't it?
— Cork's RedFM Sport (@BigRedBench) February 13, 2016
France are poor. That's such a sickener. We were toothless in attack though
— Will O'Callaghan (@willocallaghan) February 13, 2016
Take that game out of its 6N context and that game was utter rubbish. Which is both the big weakness and strength of the tournament
— Brendan gallagher (@gallagherbren) February 13, 2016
Well, that was shite.
— Kieran Cunningham (@KCsixtyseven) February 13, 2016
This was poor but its the second week that injuries catch up. Tiredness and no bench. We're definitely better than France.
— Michael McCarthy (@McCarthyMick) February 13, 2016
Picture credit: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE
