Easterby backs Ireland to respond against Italy

Ireland interim head coach Simon Easterby says he is sure his side will "bounce back" from the disappointment of their heavy Six Nations defeat by France when they finish their campaign against Italy in Rome on Saturday.

The 42-27 reverse at the Aviva Stadium last weekend ended Ireland's hopes of a Grand Slam and an unprecedented third consecutive outright title.

It was the first time Ireland have lost at home in the Six Nations since 2021, although they will still have an outside chance of securing the title on the final day should they beat Italy and results elsewhere go their way.

"We still have got a chance. We still feel, genuinely, like there's more in us and this group to a man are unbelievable at that," said Easterby.

"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.

"Listen, I don't think you ever go through your career without having a few lows and disappointments and I know that the players will bounce back."

Easterby said it was "devastating" that Ireland were not better in a game of such high stakes and was left frustrated by his side's inability to make the most of their opportunities against France.

They had the edge in both possession and territory but had just one converted score to show for their first seven visits to the France 22.

That try from Dan Sheehan put the hosts 13-8 ahead in the 43rd minute but Fabien Galthie's side scored the game's next 34 points.

"We started really well. We just didn't quite convert enough of the opportunities and at half-time we felt like we were in the ascendancy," said Easterby.

"We felt like we had kind of broken the back of them a little bit, even though the score wasn't in our favour.

"But, listen, it's devastating that we've not been able to produce a better performance, not in all the game, just in dealing with chunks of the game which allowed them to get the momentum and get the result."

After such a defeat, Easterby said it was important Ireland channelled their emotion in the correct fashion.

"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.

"That's all they're ever about, whether we win or lose."

Saturday's defeat ensured it was to be a bittersweet Dublin send-off for Ireland's trio of retiring centurions Peter O'Mahony, Cian Healy and Conor Murray.

Come full-time in the Stadio Olimpico this weekend, Ireland will lose almost 400 caps' worth of Test experience.

"We're unbelievably privileged to have been involved in a small part of their career, those guys who have had the chance to play with them and those of us who have had the chance to coach them," Easterby added.

"They'll be missed, of course they will, every team has to keep moving forward and look for fresh blood and we've started to do that as well in the positions those guys are in.

"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, it's life."