Heraldo de Madrid - Do not write Ireland off as a rugby force, says ex-prop Ross

Ireland will be missing several key players when they kick off their bid to regain the Six Nations crown against title-holders France in Paris on Thursday.

A mixed bag of results last year included a hammering by France in Dublin in the Six Nations -- in which they finished third -- and dispiriting losses to New Zealand and world champions South Africa in November.

Saint-Andre told the Irish Times on Monday that Ireland "are not as good as two years ago".

Ross, who was capped 61 times and retired in 2017 having also won the European Cup twice with Leinster, is rather more upbeat.

"Ireland in my book will always be title contenders," he told AFP by phone.

"Having said that I favour France for the title, but I am fairly confident Ireland will be second.

"Yes, we also have to go to England but there is no greater motivation for an Ireland side than beating the English at Twickenham!"

Ross says one of the reasons for the disappointing results last November was down to so many Irish players featuring in the British and Irish Lions squad that won the 2025 Test series against Australia 2-1.

"A lot of the squad were on the Lions tour, which for many is an emotional high, the pinnacle of their careers.

"Returning to playing in the wind and the rain can be a bit of a come down and make it hard to focus again.

"However, I sincerely hope we will be better than we were in the Autumn Tests."

- 'Golden goose' -

Ross says the Irish have also had to adapt to a new style of rugby.

"There has had to be a period of adjustment to South Africa's style of maul, kick and chase and dominate the set-pieces," he said.

"It seems to be the new paradigm. Ireland have been caught between two stools, with their liking for the ruck, kicking long and picking up scraps."

The failure to settle on an undisputed first choice fly-half, since Irish great Johnny Sexton retired after the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final defeat to the All Blacks, has been highlighted as a cause for concern.

Head coach Andy Farrell has alternated between Munster's Jack Crowley and Sam Prendergast of Leinster.

Crowley, who impressed as Sexton's understudy at the 2023 World Cup, enjoyed his finest moment at Test level in guiding the Irish to a 38-17 win over France in Marseille in the 2024 Six Nations.

However, he failed to nail down the number one spot and has shared the starting role with Prendergast for over a year.

Ross, though, thinks it is no bad thing to have an option for the playmaking role.

"I do not think it is a problem, I am all for the No 10 being chosen according to the tactics being deployed in a particular match, or the type of opposition one is facing," he said.

"I would not be surprised if we had both on the pitch at the same time.

"(Hugo) Keenan is injured so why not have Crowley at fullback? Defence is one of the strongest parts of his game."

Ross says even though the next World Cup in Australia is less than two years away, Farrell's hands are a bit tied in blooding too much fresh talent in the Six Nations.

Prize money is allocated according to a team's finishing position.

"That presents a problem for the IRFU as the Six Nations is the bread and butter for them, it is the commercial engine," he said.

"You want to give lads an opportunity but at the same time you do not want to sacrifice the golden goose.

"It is a fine line to walk."

M.Soler--HdM