They have largely looked one-dimensional all year in winning a second successive Six Nations Championship then going unbeaten so far through the World Cup but the suspicion was growing in Sunday that Ireland have been keeping something up their sleeve.
A team that has talent of the calibre of Tommy Bowe, Rob Kearney, Simon Zebo, Keith Earls out wide surely cannot remain so reliant on Jonny Sexton’s boot.
And then, asked about the challenge confronting his men next, Ireland’s coach Joe Schmidt made the following observation.
“France have more weapons than you saw out there,” he said, nodding his head towards the pitch.
More weapons than you saw out there… Not more weapons than we have. It promises to be a cracking match on Sunday.
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