Italy had a fine game and were unlucky with a couple of refereeing decisions but they played on the edge of the laws - there is nothing wrong with that - and they played to the referee, but overall were very impressive.

Paul O'Connell led from the front and took the RBS 6 Nations man of the match award, but to me Italian stand-off Ramiro Pez was the outstanding performer.

For a guy who has drifted in rugby and never really nailed down a club spot he performed very well.

He is now at Perpignan - although not playing a lot - after spells at Leicester and Rotherham. But he played with real composure especially kicking out of the hand - something he is not known for.

I was very impressed with Jerry Flannery who, although he missed a couple of line-out throws early in the game, was a stand-out performer.

I read some of the newspaper reports after the game and they were ridiculously unfair and were giving him a hard time.

In reality he won 22 out of 24 line-outs. Anyone who has those stats is jumping up and down with happiness.

To lose a couple of line-outs early on and get your rhythm back augurs well for the future.

I don't think Saturday's performance was reflective of how Ireland can play so it is about getting their heads right before the game after we forced a lot against Italy.

We need to take the ball with a bit more depth against the French - it will be interesting to see if they employ the 'blitz' defence after what the Italians did to us.

Denis Leamy is under a disciplinary cloud and could miss out - although Leamy is a fine player and one for the future Anthony Foley is a smart rugby player and instinctively knows what to do in any given situation, and the team will still be strong if he plays.

The French are coming back after a defeat to Scotland - so beware the Gallic backlash!

I have played against France and they have been appalling and in contrast I have played against them and you can't get your hands on the ball, but I am optimistic for Ireland's chances.