AS Ireland recorded a huge victory against France last Saturday, the wheels of motion were put into full swing for Ireland to make a serious challenge for this season's Six Nations Championship.

With captain O'Driscoll shedding the stigma of a loss of form of late, he came to the fore in a match that truly delivered on many Irish levels. Tries from the Heaslip and D'Arcy were added to the captain's crossing of the whitewash

in a sublime performance from a much maligned Irish backline. The mainly Munster pack held their own against a marauding French front eight and ground out solid scrums and scuppered broken play to lead a huge defensive charge against Les Blues. Ireland now return to camp to focus on their away trip to Rome where they face an Italian side that maybe somewhat charged by a second half display that forged a decent challenge against a very average England team. The scoreline may suggest that England dispatched their opposition with some ease but having seen the mistakes made by the Italians the scores were certainly gifted to Martin Johnston's charges. 

England 36 - 11 Italy

Ireland 30 - 21 France

Scotland 13 - 26 Wlaes

Next fixtures

Saturday 14th 15.00 France v Scotland

Saturday 14th 17.30 Wales v England

Sunday 15th 14.30 Italy v Ireland

See the video of the tries and highlights from Ireland v France on our website front page or click here

The IRFU have also acknowledged some issues surrounding the ref talk radios at last Saturday's game and have issued the following release.

"The Irish Rugby Football Union is aware that some patrons who purchased Ref Radio units at Saturday’s Ireland v France RBS 6 Nations Championship game in Croke Park may have experienced broadcast difficulties which did not allow the units to function properly.
The broadcast difficulties were outside of the control of the IRFU and Croke Park Stadium and are currently being investigated by the company who provides the Ref Radio units, Redstone Radios.   

In light of these difficulties, Redstone Radios are offering full refunds for any patrons who purchased units at the game.
Alternatively, patrons may also exchange their units for new ones if they are attending the next Ireland home game in Croke Park against England on February 28th.  The IRFU would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused to patrons due to the broadcast difficulties that took place on Saturday.

Patrons seeking refunds should contact the IRFU on 0818717117 (national call rate)."