While Dublin rocks to the twin highs of St Patrick’s weekend and the build-up to a shot at grand-slam glory against shell-shocked England, Paris may or may not pause its civil unrest to celebrate the returning heroes who rendered the English thus. The pension age is exercising French politicians and protesters at the moment, but their rugby team plays as if retirement is the last of their concerns.
Meanwhile, Wales arrive after their first win of the Six Nations, in round four, against Italy. Bonus-point wins in Rome are not to be sniffed at these days, but rarely has a side claimed one after being so outplayed. Wales have veered between youth and experience this championship, making 25 changes, more than six a match on average, as the veterans give way to the tyros who give way to the veterans.
