Ireland will pick themselves up and go again after Guinness Men’s Six Nations disappointment

In the end, creating history proved a step too far for Ireland. Indeed, there is a reason why no team has ever won three consecutive Six Nations – it’s incredibly tough to pull off.

And so it proved, as a campaign that promised so much ultimately fizzled out, as France derailed the defending champions before going on to deservedly reclaim the title that they had relinquished to Ireland two years ago.

Ireland can have no complaints about France going all the way because Les Bleus were convincing winners at the Aviva Stadium in round four before they got their hands on the trophy by beating Scotland at home to spark wild celebrations in Paris and beyond.

Such is the quality and age profile of this outstanding French squad, this could well be the start of a period of dominance for Fabien Galthie’s men, as the chasing pack, including Ireland, look to ensure that they do not lose any further ground.

As Ireland reflect on their campaign, they will rue the fact that they were unable to capitalise on a positive start that saw interim head coach Simon Easterby guide them to the Triple Crown – a significant achievement that should never be taken for granted. 

On paper, four wins from five games is by no means a bad return, yet such are the lofty standards that this Ireland team have set for themselves, they will be disappointed that they couldn’t finish the job they had started in such impressive fashion.

Ireland overcame a tricky test at home on the opening weekend, when they produced an excellent comeback bonus point win over an England side, who significantly improved as the tournament went on to finish second, just a point behind France. 

The return of Dan Sheehan from a serious knee injury was well-timed, as the fit-again hooker was part of a very strong impact from the bench, which ensured Ireland got their title defence off to the ideal start, even if they will have been frustrated that they switched off late on to gift England a losing bonus point that they scarcely deserved.

That set Ireland up well for their trip to Murrayfield, where they were once again far too good for a Scotland outfit that flattered to deceive in the one game that the Scots were desperate to win.

10 points from 10 meant Ireland had huge momentum behind them before the cracks began to appear in Cardiff. Wales deserve credit for delivering their best display of what was another wretched campaign during which the Welsh were condemned to a second successive ‘wooden spoon’, as their losing streak was extended to a staggering 17 games.

Although they maintained their 100pc start with a hard-fought win that clinched the country’s 15th Triple Crown at a heaving Principality Stadium, Ireland failed to pick up the bonus point, but in truth, their patchy performance coupled with a valiant Welsh effort meant they hadn’t earned the precious extra point.

Nevertheless, Ireland remained in control of their own destiny ahead of what was always billed as the crunch showdown with France in Dublin. Ireland’s cause wasn't helped by France’s error-strewn defeat at Twickenham, which meant that by the time they faced Ireland, their backs were against the wall, knowing they could not afford another slip-up. 

As it was, France delivered an awesome display of pace and power that Ireland simply had no answer to. If ever there was a statement, title-winning performance, this was it. No one can argue that France were not comfortably the best team in this year’s Six Nations.

Ireland went into last weekend’s final round trip to Rome still in with a slim chance of writing themselves into the history books, but the favours that they required from Wales and Scotland never transpired, which saw Easterby’s side end up in third place.

The hangover and the controversial fall-out from the French defeat appeared to linger, as Ireland were far from their best at Stadio Olimpico, as approximately 30,000 colourful and noisy Ireland fans turned the Italian capital green. We couldn’t help but wonder what the party would have been like if Ireland had gone all the way!

As three legendary centurions, Cian Healy, Peter O’Mahony and Conor Murray said their farewells ahead of their impending retirements, it felt like the end of an era, as the page begins to turn towards what’s to come on the long road ahead. 

Attention will now switch to the crucial end-of-season run-ins for the four provinces in the Champions and Challenge Cup, and the URC, but a huge summer of rugby will not be long rolling around.

Ireland will hope to have a strong representation on the Lions tour to Australia, as head coach Andy Farrell continues to shape his squad behind the scenes. The Ireland boss’ influence was missed throughout the Six Nations, while he will also be absent for the summer tour to Georgia and Portugal due to his Lions commitments.

The next time Farrell is back in situ with Ireland will be November’s exciting return to Chicago to renew the simmering rivalry with the All Blacks at Soldier Field before they round out the year at home against Japan, Australia, and a mouth-watering showdown with the double World Cup champions South Africa.

Come the Autumn Nations Series, Farrell will want to have seen more young players put their hand up for selection, with the games in Georgia and Portugal set to be used as an important opportunity to further deepen the talent pool.

The development of the young front-row trio Jack Boyle, Gus McCarthy and Thomas Clarkson was one of the major positives from Ireland’s Six Nations, while the fact that Sam Prendergast led the team from out-half for the majority of the campaign will stand to the talented rookie out-half, who picked up the award for the tournament’s ’rising player.’

Sheehan, James Lowe, Bundee Aki, Jamison Gibson-Park and Caelan Doris were all excellent at different stages across the course of the last few weeks, as they set their sights on wearing the Lions’ red ‘down under’ this summer.

As the dust settles and the disappointment of a third-place Guinness Men’s Six Nations finish eases, Ireland will pick themselves up and go again, just as they always do.