The Lansdowne nightmare of two years ago was re-lived in painful fashion as Wales were torn apart by a considerably more powerful Irish side. From the moment Shane Byrne strolled over untouched to score with barely a minte on the clock, there was only one team ever really in it. As mention on the message board by Zippy, one Welsh supporter left after only ten minutes - it really was that painful.

Even if the phase "it all starts up front" is vastly over used, it still rings true. Wales's pack was emphatically out muscled by they're Irish counterparts and subsequently the backline were never brought into the game, other than they're attempts to stop Brian O'Driscoll and company which proved in vain.

In fairness the lack of an out and out field kicker, also cost us dearly. Gareth Thomas was yet again the best man in a red shirt, but without a decent boot he will never make it as an international full back.

With no plan B, Wales were made to look a very one dimensional side indeed. On this evidence for all the progress Steve Hansen has made in his two year stint as coach, we are still not at what most would see as an acceptable level of competitiveness -

Yet it would be foolish to get too carried away, confidence is a very fragile thing in Welsh rugby, and this team (albeit with a few changes in personal) for all the enjoyment they've given us, need our support more than ever when the French come to town.