In Rome, he had played the entire meeting, signing a try, three transformations and a penalty.

Saturday at the Aviva Stadium, he certainly scored another 14 points but his replacement in the 62nd minute by Matthieu Jalibert is all in all logical.

Chewed by the physical combat imposed by the Irish, he may also have paid for his blunders.

The Stade Toulousain player, who gave a lot of himself, bearing the brunt of the intensity of the match, accumulated three penalties and a conversion in the first period, allowing the Blues not to be too far behind at half-time (22-16).

Author of several saves and a few well-felt raises, Ramos (27, 22 caps) was also present in defense, despite the very strong physical commitment.

But he was also indirectly behind the two Irish tries, conceding a touch before Keenan's try (10th) then on that of James Lowe (21st).

After seeing his clearance blocked, taken aback and staring at fly-half Romain Ntamack with neither making the right call, he couldn't prevent the winger's eighth international try Irish.

Too fair

On returning from the locker room, we felt the back of Stade Toulousain more blunt, having more difficulty getting back into defense.

775933747 © Paul ELLIS / AFP

Probably a sign of a physical condition not completely regained, he who had been suspended at the end of December for five weeks after a whim and a dangerous contact on his vis-à-vis Byron McGuigan, during the victory of Toulouse in Champions Cup against Sale.

This break did not prevent the French management from calling him for the Capbreton (Landes) internship and starting him against Italy.

"I was eager to play again, he confided this week to the bi-weekly Midi-Olympique. (...) I needed it, also to find the rhythm. For a recovery, it's not bad to start with an international match. Finally, it's good to have also experienced difficult periods during the match to prepare for the big challenge that awaits us this weekend".

But it was just maybe a little too soon.

He who is normally a real metronome thus missed a penalty in the 46th minute: surprised by a headwind, which suddenly rose in the Aviva Stadium, his kick proved to be too short.

The next fifteen minutes were complicated for the Toulousain who, before leaving the lawn, adjusted a perfect drop, his first in selection.

Three points to add to his bag on Saturday and … the last of the meeting on the French side.

A last "French touch" too fair nevertheless to raise its overall performance.

© 2023 AFP