Liam Toland and Ruaidhri O'Connor of the Irish Independent joined Joe Molloy for Monday Night Rugby to pay tribute to the Irish Rugby team after their impressive 32-19 victory over France at the weekend.  

Toland, who lined out for both Munster and Leinster, have been really impressed by some of the changes Andy Farrell has made to the Irish set-up.

"When Andy Farrell came in, obviously, he brought in quality assistant coaches, and he brought in Paul O'Connell when things were not working."

"One of the first things I noticed was the players were much happier. The change of culture and management suited them."

Toland followed Hugo Keenan along the way when he started out at Leinster.

"I have been at many Leinster games and the regularity where Hugo Keenan runs that exact line which we saw him scoring off at the weekend. He is just relentlessly running those lines."

Much of the talk around supporters is a giddiness of Ireland potentially lifting the Grand Slam, but there is still a lot of work to do if Andy Farrell's charges are to create history.

Three games remain in the six nations against Italy, Scotland and England.

Ireland's good form has been down to different players stepping up. "There's playing that are adding enormous value. Caelan Doris is one, and James Ryan in the second row, and certainly last week he stole a lineout and scored a try, but his physicality around the breakdown has improved immensely," added Toland.

"How many Irish players lost the ball cheaply or got bundled into touch?

"They're fighting so hard for every square inch and the pace they're playing at."

Ireland will continue their charge to the Grand Slam against Italy in the Stadio Olympico on Saturday, the 25th of February.

By Paul Shaughnessy

Team of Us. Everyone In.

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