The Six Nations arrived with an enthralling war of attrition in Cardiff, a closer than expected game in Twickenham and one of the tournament’s most memorable shocks in Rome as Italy stunned France with a 23-18 win.

Ireland were scintillating for the opening half hour in Wales, with Brian O’Driscoll making a mockery of any doubts about his on-going standing as one of world rugby’s best. The final half hour was a different beast entirely, with the Welsh battering the Irish defence and drawing a performance of memorable commitment from Declan Kidney’s men. Backs and forwards repeatedly put themselves on the line, racking up a tackle count in excess of 150 before the clock finally put an end to the Welsh onslaught.

Newstalk Breakfast’s Oisin Langan spoke with former Munster and Ireland hooker Frankie Sheahan this morning about the weekend’s action and found Sheahan delighted with “an absolute cracker of a weekend”. Sheahan was in awe of the Italian performance, as well as the master class from O’Driscoll.

Sheahan told Oisin about the backlash in France, saying “they could drop some of their best players after this” and reiterated his belief that O’Driscoll was the difference for Ireland: “He was like a real warrior…the pass he gave for Simon Zebo’s opening try was just brilliant.”