FRANCE can often be really slow and sloppy early on in a Championship, but they looked together and sharp at the start of this Six Nations by scoring seven tries against Italy last weekend, without ever really moving out of second gear.
However, beating Ireland in Dublin is a different challenge to Italy in Rome, and there is now added pressure on the French because the next World Cup is in their country. Those who have been to the Stade de France will be aware that their crowd is as unforgiving as it gets, and when the French team are not winning, can turn on them in an instant.
The good ...