Hugo Keenan has said it's been "a tough couple of days" of the back of Ireland's Six Nations loss to France last weekend.
Ireland lost 30-24 out in Paris in a spectacular game but there's a sense of Ireland weren't at their best, especially in the first half. France scored a try after a minute and it didn't get much better for the boys in green until the second half. France had a 12 point lead at half-time and that's a lead that Ireland couldn't afford to give their hosts.
Irish fullback Hugo Keenan, speaking after being unveiled as Energia's new rugby ambassador spoke about the squad's disappointment after the game.
I'm not going to lie, I was pretty gutted after the game for many reasons really, how it finished, how we felt that there was more in us, probably didn't play to our potential and we got so close. It was a bit of a bleak changing room after and it's been a tough couple of days.
Stacey Flood and Hugo Keenan
There are some positives to take from the French match, especially the second half. That first 10-15 minutes after halftime, Ireland blitz France and showed some of the power and precision they showed against New Zealand and if they played more like that in the fist half, they could've won the game. Keenan spoke about the positives of the game and that Ireland still ran the game close despite not playing at their full capability.
I've watched the game back, reviewed it and we'll come in tomorrow and learn and improve. That's probably the exciting bit now, that we were only six points off beating the French who are probably the form side in world rugby at the moment and I don't think we played to our potential. Personally I felt that I had more in me as well.
It's a week off from the Six Nations this week as the domestic leagues all have games this weekend. Rugby's oldest competition returns on the 26th February with Round 3 where Ireland host Italy at the Aviva Stadium.
Irish rugby stars Hugo Keenan and Stacey Flood have been unveiled as Energia’s new rugby ambassadors and will represent their multiple rugby partnerships from grassroots right through to the international stage. This season Energia is helping fans play their part and learn about how to be more sustainable and environmentally conscious through its Ireland’s Greenest Fan campaign.
See Also: Joey Carbery Talks About Playing His "Own Game" With Ireland
