Looking back at the Six Nations opener in Marseille on Friday night, it's difficult to understand how there was such a big gap between Ireland and France.
While there were coming off the back of massive disappointment at last year's World Cup, it was expected that the hosts would look to produce a statement performance in this fixture. They may have been missing some key players, but very few commentators had predicted anything other than a French victory at the Stade Velodrome.
Of course, it was a very different story once the game kicked off.
Ireland were completely dominant right from the outset, even before France had a man sent off late in the first half. In the end, the 21-point margin of victory in no way flattered Andy Farrell's side.
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Ireland's performance was excellent, but the more alarming aspect of this game was France's complete failure to show up. Despite a ferocious atmosphere in the ground, they were unable to rise to the occasion in a massive Six Nations fixture.
Writing for Mail Sport, former Wales star Dan Biggar suggested that the amount of club action French players have taken part in in comparison to their Irish counterpart likely had an impact on how the match played out.
Ireland were a cut above anything else this weekend. They were clinical, efficient, organised. They have three games at home, which is a huge advantage.
They don’t have a brilliant record at Twickenham so that’s the only stumbling block I can see to them getting the Grand Slam.
On this weekend’s evidence, it’s hard to tip anyone but them for the title...
The Ireland players all knew what they were doing, they were in sync and they had a clear plan. They moved the ball into the 13 channel and made gains. Jack Crowley had a daunting job taking over the No10 jersey from Johnny Sexton but he marshalled the game and kicked his points.
France, on the other hand, looked so very tired, sluggish and pedestrian, which is everything they haven’t been for the past few years.
The Ireland players have a lot less game time for their clubs than the French players in the Top 14 and I think that showed. It’s Ireland’s to lose.
Dan Biggar currently plays for Toulon in the Top 14.
It is true that many of the Irish players would have played less than some of their French opponents, that has also been the case in past editions of the Six Nations.
It will be interesting to see how they bounce back from this defeat over the remainder of the championship.
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