Former England scrum-half Ben Youngs has asserted that Ireland are done with being the dominant force in the Guinness Six Nations after stumbling over the line to finish third in this year's Championship.
Has an ageing squad been exposed by Les Bleus, or was Saturday's French thrashing merely a blip for the venerated green machine?
Ireland have confirmed that Tadhg Furlong, Garry Ringrose and Mack Hansen are set to return for their final match of the Guinness Six Nations against Italy in Rome on Saturday.
Ireland are losing over 350 caps of Test experience at the end of the Six Nations and fans owe the feted trio immeasurable debt
Peter O'Mahony and Francois Cros play brilliantly effective if somewhat unheralded roles for Ireland and France.
O’Mahony and Healy have added that they will quit playing completely at the end of the season when they finish their respective 2024/25 club campaigns with Munster and Leinster, while Murray will take up an opportunity to continue playing overseas at club level next season.
The storied tournament is reaching the meaty middle with three thundering clashes bound to deliver drama in spades
Simon Easterby’s blindside played 52 minutes of the Guinness Six Nations round two match at Scottish Gas Murrayfield, departing with the Irish 17-11 ahead in a game they went on to win 32-18.
With 10 points in the bag already, and an historic three-peat on offer, this Six Nations is Ireland's to lose.