After a challenging defeat to France, Ireland's interim head coach Simon Easterby is optimistic about his team's chances as they prepare to face Italy in Rome this Saturday. Despite the setback, which dashed Ireland's hopes for a Grand Slam and a third consecutive Six Nations title, Easterby believes in the resilience and potential of his squad.

Learning from the Loss Against France

Last weekend's 42-27 loss at Aviva Stadium was a tough pill to swallow for the Irish team. It marked their first home defeat in the Six Nations since 2021. Easterby acknowledged the disappointment but emphasized the importance of learning from the experience. "We started really well. We just didn't quite convert enough of the opportunities," he reflected.

Focusing on the Positive

Easterby praised the team's ability to focus on the positives and understand their shortcomings. "They're brilliant at just taking the positives, understanding why they didn't quite click, and they will work incredibly hard together to put in a performance," he said. This mindset is crucial as they gear up for their final match against Italy.

The Challenge Ahead

Despite the loss, Ireland still has a mathematical chance to secure the title, provided they beat Italy and other results go their way. Easterby stressed the importance of channeling their emotions correctly and using the disappointment as motivation. "The challenge now is to put that disappointment behind them and get themselves together, stay nice and tight, and understand why we didn't get the result and how we can get better," he explained.

Bidding Farewell to Veteran Players

This match will also be a bittersweet moment for Ireland as they bid farewell to three retiring centurions: Peter O'Mahony, Cian Healy, and Conor Murray. Their departure will leave a significant void, but Easterby sees it as an opportunity for new talent to step up. "It's never nice losing guys who have given so much to the jersey and spent so much time in the environment, but it's part and parcel of the game," he noted.

Looking Forward

As Ireland prepares for this crucial match, the focus remains on bouncing back and ending the Six Nations campaign on a high note. With Easterby's guidance and the team's unwavering determination, Ireland aims to showcase their resilience and potential for future success in the rugby arena.