When Ireland review their Six Nations campaign, a lack of consistency will be high on the list of factors that led to them conceding their crown to France. The Irish team, which had been a dominant force in the previous year's tournament, failed to replicate their winning form, and their inconsistent performances ultimately cost them the title.
The campaign began with a promising win over Wales, but things quickly took a turn for the worse as Ireland suffered a disappointing loss to France. Despite a strong showing against Italy, the team's inconsistency continued to plague them, and they were unable to string together a series of convincing wins.
One of the main issues for Ireland was their inability to close out games. On several occasions, they found themselves in winning positions, only to let their opponents back into the match. This was evident in their loss to France, where they surrendered a 10-point lead, and also in their draw against Wales, where they were unable to capitalize on their dominance.
Another factor that contributed to Ireland's disappointing campaign was their lack of depth in certain positions. The team was plagued by injuries throughout the tournament, and their bench often struggled to make an impact. This was particularly evident in the back row, where the loss of key players such as Josh van der Flier and Caelan Doris was deeply felt.
Despite these challenges, there were still some positives to take from Ireland's campaign. The team showed flashes of brilliance, particularly in their wins over Wales and Italy, and there were several individual performances that stood out. The likes of Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray, and Tadhg Furlong all had strong tournaments, and will be key players for Ireland as they look to rebuild and regain their status as one of the top teams in the Six Nations.
As Ireland look to the future, they will need to address the issues that plagued them during this year's campaign. They must work on developing a stronger squad, with more depth in key positions, and find a way to overcome their inconsistency. If they can do this, they may be able to regain their crown and once again become a dominant force in the Six Nations.