HUGO KEENAN knows that Ireland cannot afford to look beyond France if they are to do the clean sweep.
Simon Easterby’s men are the only unbeaten team left in the Six Nations as they chase down a third successive title and second Grand Slam in three seasons.
But the narrow win against Wales in Cardiff on Saturday — which came without a bonus point — means the holders will probably need to win their two remaining matches just to retain the Championship.
Sitting three points behind in second spot in the table, superstar No 9 Antoine Dupont and France have a massive points difference — and are waiting to pounce on any slip-up.
And that is fine for Keenan — because the target from the very outset was always to win every game.
He said: “We’re just looking at controlling what’s in front of us, how we can influence and decide on matters, and leaving it in our hands.
“That’s the mindset we’ll be going in with against France and just fully focusing on a big performance to get a win. I think we have to block out the noise.
“I know it’s probably a cliche, you take it game by game, you start slipping up if you start thinking of anything further than that.
“And I think we’ve two big weeks to prepare for France.”
Les Bleus will be at the Aviva on March 8 in what will probably be the Championship decider. The following week, Ireland face Italy in Rome while France host Scotland.
And full-back Keenan hopes to regain his place having been left out of the 23 to face Wales on Saturday as Leinster team-mate Jamie Osborne got his chance at 15.
The Kildare man, on his first start for Ireland, bagged a superb try after being set up by Blues pals Jamison Gibson-Park and James Lowe, who tapped down a high ball for Osborne to score.
Keenan said: “You always want to play in the big Six Nations games. In the Millennium Stadium against Wales is always huge.
“There was definitely disappointment, but I suppose that’s the nature of being in such a competitive squad at the moment.
“You certainly have to look at it as a positive thing that there are a lot of different options in the back-three. Jamie has been going well for the last number of years, and has really stepped up recently.
“I suppose that was the feedback that I got — they wanted to give him a shot and he’s been going well. It’s one of those things, it’s part of sport.
“I was over with the team, doing my best to prepare them all week, I was a travelling reserve so I was ready to step in if anyone dropped out.
“It’s always tough watching on from the sideline, because you can’t affect the game yourself but also the nature of the match, how tight it was.
“I’m never the best spectator, always getting a bit stressed and worked up during it. But it was brilliant that the lads pulled through.
“They showed good character and it was great to get the win and keep the momentum going.”
SELECTION HEAD ACHE
The 28-year-old Dubliner rejoins camp today and is aiming to get his shirt back.
He said: “I’m looking forward to getting back in there, sticking my hand up again. We have an open training session against the 20s on Thursday, it’s always competitive.
“It’s always a good one to go up against a side that don’t know your moves, that have new ones to throw against you.”
l HUGO KEENAN is the ambassador for Optimum Nutrition who recently launched a #TruthUnlocked campaign to bust common sports nutrition myths.
