Philippe Saint-Andre tries to see the bigger picture: “Losing is terrible, but the team must keep this memory and work to improve. The small details at the moment are not on our side.”

Greig Laidlaw gives interim Scotland head coach Scott Johnson a ringing endorsement: “I think he does deserve the job. A lot of credit should go to him and the coaching team. They are striking a good balance between training and a bit of down time off the field.”

Italy’s stand-in captain Martin Castrogiovanni admits he’s a sore loser: “I was very honoured to be made captain, but I don't like losing. I hate losing even when I am playing Playstation.”

Ireland full-back Rob Kearney springs to the defence of head coach Declan Kidney: “We're all in this together. We must make a statement for Declan, for ourselves and the country.”

Leigh Halfpenny reveals how Wales celebrated their victory in Rome: “We had a pasta starter, a pork dish for main course and a custard slice kind of thing for desert, which had chocolate pieces and raspberries with it. And the cutlery looked so expensive that it almost felt a shame to use it. A lovely way to top off a good win.”

Stuart Lancaster admits Chris Ashton is working to find his form: “I think he's trying hard and working hard but equally he knows there are areas of his game he's got to work on. We've been talking to him about that. Like everyone else he'll be disappointed by the try Fofana scored.”

Scott Johnson waxes lyrical over his side’s spirit to come back and defeat Ireland: “It brought out the blue-collar boy in me. I like that side of it, I like the fact that the win was humbling. They can be proud of their effort and their heart.”