Coming out of the opening weekend of the 2024 Six Nations, it's clear that Ireland are now heavy favourites to retain the championship.
Andy Farrell's side produced a brilliant performance against an underperforming French team on Friday night, with most onlookers now expecting them to go on and claim a Grand Slam for a second consecutive season.
As for what the result means for the hosts on that night, that remains to be seen. It is clear that France are still suffering from their World Cup hangover, something they will be looking to shake off over the coming weeks.
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Ex-Scotland star gives take on Ireland Six Nations win over France
France will face Scotland in their second game of the Six Nations this weekend, needing a win in Murrayfield to keep their championship aspirations alive.
Writing in his column for BBC Sport, former Scotland star Johnnie Beattie said that Ireland hammering their French in their own backyard is unlikely to help his country's chances in this upcoming fixture.
The one thing to know about Fabien Galthie’s team is that they are a very, very proud bunch of Frenchmen, a group that’s hurting having just been humiliated on their home patch.
A big, ugly bear has been poked with a huge stick and it’s now heading for Edinburgh. They know that if they lose to Scotland on Saturday then their Six Nations is over. Pride is on the line.
It’s a cultural thing with French rugby. I saw it in every club I played with and against, and it’s more relevant to France than anywhere else, I think. When you’re embarrassed in front of your own fans, you’d better react.
The French rugby public have gone nuts since Friday’s loss to Ireland. They have gone through the coaches and the players. It’s been unsparing.
Those fans will demand that France take no prisoners at Murrayfield. This is what’s coming.
Scotland come into this fixture having won their opening game of the 2024 Six Nations, although their performance against Wales has been questioned after they almost gave up a 27-point lead in the second half in Cardiff.
It will be interesting to see which team responds better to their recent setbacks at Murrayfield on Saturday afternoon.
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