Against that backdrop came an uncomfortable moment in the post match press conference when Ireland captain Caelan Doris was faced with a fairly loaded question from a French journalist referencing two late incidents involving James Ryan.<\/p>\n
As the match entered its closing stages, Ryan was involved in a marginally late hit on French out half Matthieu Jalibert in the 75th minute. An incident the French TV directors wasted no time in replaying on the big screen. The home crowd displayed their disappointment in no uncertain terms as their star fly half lay on the ground clutching his ribs.<\/p>\n
Ryan followed it up by making forceful contact with Anthony Jelonch as the French back row stood on the Irish side of a breakdown in the 80th minute. In the eyes of the of certain sections of the French media this was yet another example of an Irish side who resort to cheap shots and underhanded tactics.<\/p>\n
Awkward Exchange Between Caelan Doris And French Reporter After Defeat<\/p>\n
\n Recommended\n <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n A visibly disappointed Andy Farrell fielded questions from Irish reporters before the French media turned to Doris. \u201cHere we saw two or three nasty fouls at the end of the game,\u201d the reporter began, asking whether Ireland felt wounded in pride and how they would react in their next fixture against Italy.<\/p>\n Caelan Doris initially appeared genuinely confused by the framing of the question, asking for clarification more than once.<\/p>\n Say again? Nasty fouls? Is that what you said?<\/p>\n Once the intent of the question became clear, Doris chose not to engage with the premise at all. Rather than address individual incidents or players, the Ireland captain pivoted back to the broader picture of the game itself.<\/p>\n I think the bench made a good impact. Faz alluded to it there. There was some good resolve in the second half, but we do not want to be a team that is chasing.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n