SUPER Saturday doesn’t leave Six Nations presenters feeling all that super given it’s such a long day for broadcast teams.
As is tradition, the 2025 tournament drew to a close with all six countries in consecutive action.
‘Quick dinner break in the truck before we’re back for France v Scotland’[/caption]
Another ex-Ireland star in Bernard Jackman cropped up in this pic[/caption]
One can see why such a lengthy day on your feet would necessitate a comfy choice of footwear[/caption]
Ireland were first up as they ended with anything but a bang – hanging on to a narrow win against perennial weak link Italy.
England did their job in far more convincing fashion as they walloped Wales in Cardiff by 68-14.
However, when all was said and done France had vaulted themselves back to the top of the table after taking care of business in Paris against Scotland 35-16.
The first and final games were shown on RTE Two with the middle offering covered by Virgin Media Ireland.
That meant it was a long and nigh on eternal day of broadcasting from the Eternal City of Rome for Hurley and her crew.
She joked herself, Jamie Heaslip, Stephen Ferris and Clare McNamara were sampling the less fun side of live TV as she shared a pic of them chowing down on some pizza when they had a spare few minutes.
The snap of them tucking into the classically Italian – if likely fast food version – of the grub was captioned: “Who said TV isn’t glamorous!”
In a follow-up snap before they went back on-air for Les Bleus’ crowning victory she added: “We go again”.
Reflecting on Ireland’s unimpressive 22-17 triumph at the Stadio Olympico, interim boss Simon Easterby tried to put a positive spin on things.
He emphasized: “It was the five points we needed initially, a little bit disappointed that we didn’t play our best but Italy to their credit had a part to play in that.
“We didn’t make the most of some of the opportunities we had.”
Italy deservedly went in front with a brilliant move on 12 minutes that allowed Lyon winger Monty Ioane to score.
Tommaso Menoncello beat two Irish men to pass to Paolo Garbisi whose grubber kick was grounded by the flying Ioane.
And they could have had more as the Azzurri looked dangerous every time centre Menoncello got the ball in his hand.
Easterby said: “It was missed tackles mostly. It looked a little bit greasy out there, there were guys slipped a little bit.
“There is no doubt they had an ability. They concede too easily but they attack well.”
DORIS’ VIEW
The full-time whistle was greeted by jeers from the home fans, and soon the visitors were on a lap of honour.
It did not feel like it at the time, but captain Caelan Doris later stressed that there was a lot of good in this Six Nations now overshadowed by a bad loss to France and yesterday’s narrow win.
He reckoned: “I think there has been a lot of good stuff. I think winning the Triple Crown in our first three games showed quite a lot of positive things.
“There are obviously lots of things we can learn and grow from over the last couple of weeks.
“I hope that it will be a springboard for us as a group to go on and continue to evolve and a bit of a realisation that there’s still a lot of work to be done and a lot in us.
“But overall four wins from five, lots of positives in there, definitely.”
