RATED: How the Kildare contingent did in Ireland's Six Nations defeat to France
Alongside brother's Sam and Cian Prendergast, Kildare men Jamie Osborne, Tadhg Beirne and Athy's Jeremy Loughman were named to to start for Ireland against France
Ireland's Guinness Six Nations began with a 36-14 defeat against France which saw five Kildare men in from the start for their crunch clash. The five Kildare players being named meant there were more representatives from The Short Grass county than Munster men that took to the field from kick-off.
It was a debut Six Nations appearance in the offing for Cian Prendergast when he was named in the starting lineup alongside his younger brother Sam, who occupied the constantly-discussed fly-half position.
The young fly-half has (unfairly) become a lightning rod for the issues with the current Ireland team and was again criticised for his performance against the Six Nations favourites. The 22 year-old was rightly absolved of blame by the Virgin Media panel for his attempts to stop a 50:22 prior to France's first try but he exemplified the pressure that Ireland were under in the lead up to France's second with his hurried pass to Tommy O'Brien. Prendergast's attacking talents and eye for creativity were on display in rare moments, but for the most part the fly-half's performance mirrored the rest of the Irish team on a disappointing night. It would also be fair to enquire where any other creativity might come from without Sam Prendergast's switches of play and fast hands in this Ireland team which looked devoid of ideas at times in possession with two phases of play and a box kick the order of the night.
Cian Prendergast was a solid on his lineout's but was largely just one cog in a misfiring machine in the first half as Ireland went down 22-0 at the break. Ireland's no.6 on the night won a big scrum early in the second half before being taken off.
Athy man and Munster player Jeremy Loughman also made his Six Nations debut on the night and was likewise was taken off early in the second half, but Loughman put in an admirable showing in the scrum with little more of note as Ireland trudged through the early stages at the Stade de France.
Jamie Osborne donned a green jersey for the first time since injuring his shoulder against Japan three months ago and started brightly with a superb 50:22 in the opening few minutes. The Naas man gave a battling performance but was put under huge pressure when France began forcing him onto his weaker right foot and his influence dipped from there.
Tadhg Beirne occupied his usual place as a mainstay in green and really came alive in Ireland's brief purple-patch when forced one of his trademark turnovers and assisted their second try. There was little to report aside from that in a quiet night for the Edaestown man.
France captain Antoine Dupont made his first international appearance in almost a year, having returned from an ACL injury, and his presence was felt throughout as the French team dominate proceedings in Paris.