CAELAN DORIS felt Ireland lost their way on the big day.
Ireland’s Grand Slam hopes were torched by France in a 42-27 defeat – while they will now need favours to win a third Six Nations title in a row.
And Doris bemoaned a 30-minute spell in the second half when Ireland conceded 34 points without reply.
He said: “I felt we were right in contention at half-time and we felt confident. We knew if we started well we could do it.
“We’d been behind by a couple of points against Australia and England, there was no shortage of belief.
“But it was that middle 25 of the second-half, we just weren’t good enough. Our collisions, our discipline.
“They can create something from nothing from go-forward ball and that happened two or three times in a row.”
Ireland actually led 13-8 three minutes into the second half when Dan Sheehan scored before their gameplan was torn to shreds.
There were controversial moments as the France try from Paul Boudehent that put them 15-13 in front was awarded, despite an obstruction on Peter O’Mahony.
But Doris acknowledged that the overall scoreline means there can be few complaints as he credited France for their finishing ability.
He added: “They’re a quality team. They’ve got massive ability throughout, they’ve obviously got a big powerful pack.
“They can play tight and go up the middle, the power game…but the backs you guys have as well can play with flair, with pace, can take you on on the edges.
“Defensively you’ve got to be very strong to prevent tries and we weren’t consistent enough in that.”
But Doris insisted that the occasion had not got the better of Ireland, as he pointed to their bright start as proof that the emotion of the week – as Peter O’Mahony, Cian Healy and Conor Murray played their final home games – did not have an impact.
He said: “A bit of a rollercoaster. I thought the way we touched on the emotion of the three lads finishing up and the others winning 50 caps, that was great.
“I think that fed into how we started. We were unlucky not to lead and put them on scoreboard pressure.”
