Having established an early 7-0 lead, the two-time champions slipped to a humbling 18-7 defeat amid claims that too many of their starting line up were the wrong side of 30.

But 32-year old Horan is adamant age had little effect on the result and insists he and his teammates were simply out-played by the better team on the day.

“We’re all getting older but a lot of us are playing some great rugby at the moment,” said Horan. “It was always going to be a tough test for us.

“After a quarter-final at home we knew we’d have to go to France twice and win both times if we were to win the competition.

“No matter what team you are, as the years go on people will always say that you’re getting too old. It’s an excuse that people will use.

“But the drive is definitely there. Guys are keen and it still means so much to them.”