Jonny Sexton was then ruled out of the match against les Bleus but O’Gara has not been recalled to the squad, Kidney preferring to put his faith in 21-year-old Paddy Jackson and Leinster’s uncapped fly-half Ian Madigan.

And while Heaslip was quick to point out that player selection is out of his hands, he is only too aware that the Ireland squad must step up or risk being dropped.

“In terms of who gets in and who gets out that is a decision for the management,” he said.

“Ronan has been a great player he's a great squad guy as well and now there's an opportunity for someone else to step in.

“We set our standards very high in training and our standards high in the game as well, and when you don't step up to that level, I suppose, the coaches have to make a decision then.”