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Murray with fellow Munster 9 Craig Casey at Ireland training today. IRFU/INPHO

'We know we can't afford to slip up again'

Conor Murray is relishing this week’s clash with Antoine Dupont’s France.

MOMENTUM IS A handy intangible force to have in your corner in any competition. But  in the Six Nations it’s a currency that holds serious value.

It’s what makes the odd Grand Slam ambush a thing of beauty, makes predictions for the title feel straightforward after the opening weekend, when it felt like like a toss-up 72 hours earlier and it’s the thing that makes an opening weekend defeat so dispiriting.

France in 2006, Wales in 2013 and England last year are the only teams in 20 editions of the Six Nations to run out as title winners after losing their opener.

Having lost to Wales in Cardiff on Sunday, Ireland must now wrestle momentum away from the new tournament favourites to stand a chance at emulating them.

On the other hand, another defeat would represent a third consecutive defeat in the Championship, a run of form Ireland have not experienced since losing to England, Scotland and England again when the Five Nations turned to Six between 1999 and 2000.

That’s why Conor Murray wore an intent look on his face today as he said, “there is no hiding now after losing our first game.”

Wearing the number 9 jersey means that Murray will be standing opposite the key man in France’s attack. Antoine Dupont, the man Ronan O’Gara this week called ‘the best player in the world’ appeared to be in excellent form in the Six Nations opener with a hand in multiple tries as Les Bleus ran up 50 points with minimum fuss.

“He had a lot of really good moments,” says Murray, while cautioning against focusing too much on the threat of one player.

“He had an all-action display. I know how good he is. He’s really at the top of the game at the moment and he deserves the plaudits. he’s a massive threat and I think he’s a fantastic player and I’ve a lot of respect for him.

It’s exciting to come up against a player in that form and try to prove yourself against that. They’re the exciting weeks you get to really test yourself.

“You’re aware of how well they’re playing and how much of a threat they are. It motivates you to play your game as best you can. It’s a little sharpener for the mind, it’s a massive challenge and hopefully I can rise to that.”

Ireland as a collective will have to rise to the challenge against a team who outclassed them 35-27 in October. If France have momentum, Ireland have history on their side having not lost at home to Les Bleus in this tournament since 2011.

tom-otoole-and-james-lowe Tom O'Toole and James Lowe at training in Abbottstown today. IRFU / INPHO IRFU / INPHO / INPHO

“That’s been the case coming up against big teams throughout the years. We’ve had some great days and it’s not about individuals. This team can front up when it needs to, historically, and hopefully that can happen.

“The session we had there, you can feel it, lads know how big a challenge this week is. We know we can’t afford to slip up again and that’s the vibe around camp.

“Not much needs to be said, they’re kind of leading by their actions and it’s going to be a cracker on Sunday, hopefully.”

“It’s a huge task, we’ve been here before, if we put in a performance this weekend and the result goes our way, suddenly the conversation has a completely different tone to it.”

Momentum can be gloriously fickle too.

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    Mute Sean Crowe
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    Sep 12th 2020, 6:55 PM

    COYBIB

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    Mute B Collins
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    Sep 12th 2020, 8:01 PM

    Such a joy to watch ulster this week compared to Munster. So much variety in their play. Mathewson sniping, passing, kicking. Forwards carrying with impact but also offloading when appropriate. Much more effective. Hume and McCloskey look great in the centre.

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    Mute gabs90
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    Sep 12th 2020, 7:05 PM

    Let’s go Leinster!! Big day out for Ringrose

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    Mute T Dawg
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    Sep 12th 2020, 7:22 PM

    @gabs90: ya, biggest day of his career

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    Mute rugbyanbeer
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    Sep 12th 2020, 8:24 PM

    Leinster lineouts are keeping Ulster in the game

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    Mute David
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    Sep 12th 2020, 7:24 PM

    Looking forward to a good game and hopefully no injuries for both sides for next week. . Super selection from Leinster and what a bench. Leinster by 10+ for me.

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    Mute Just Some Guy
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    Sep 12th 2020, 7:19 PM

    Leinster will win

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    Mute Marty H
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    Sep 12th 2020, 8:35 PM

    I see Van Der Flier is Liam Tolands man crush this week

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    Mute Lance Write
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    Sep 12th 2020, 9:12 PM

    He’s a gas man. Giving Stockdale grief for crawling with the ball. But sure it was perfectly fine when a Leinster player did it to score against Munster.

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Sep 12th 2020, 8:22 PM

    Half time and the leinster lineout is easily the worst in professional rugby.

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    Mute David Finn
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    Sep 12th 2020, 8:44 PM

    @Chris Mc: I think we need to end the hype that’s been surrounding Kelleher right now. Cronin is a better lineout thrower and that’s saying something!

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Sep 12th 2020, 8:57 PM

    @David Finn: his throwing is pants but he’s a massive present arround the pitch

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    Mute Trevor Johnston
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    Sep 12th 2020, 9:30 PM

    @Chris Mc: yeah good around the pitch but on that performance about Irish no 4. He needs time.

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    Mute Chris Mc
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    Sep 13th 2020, 9:15 AM

    @Trevor Johnston: the leinster lineout has been too complicated for a good few seasons now. Far too many moving parts. Most of the balls lost yesterday came without any real presure from Ulster, lifters missed the jumper, some times the jumper didn’t even jump. A lineout should be very simple, your jumper gets into the air before theirs or get higher than theirs. Your hooker throws the ball to the big guy been lifted by 2 other big guys. All the dummies, moving arround and decoys just allows the line to close and the lifters to be obstructed or miss their position or timing.

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    Mute rugbyanbeer
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    Sep 12th 2020, 7:40 PM

    Game on great try

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    Mute Lance Write
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    Sep 12th 2020, 8:16 PM

    It’s good to see Ulster taking a leaf out of the Leinster playbook. Holding opposition players in nearly every ruck and starting to milk some penalties.

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    Mute rugbyanbeer
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    Sep 12th 2020, 9:24 PM

    Another trophy the invincibles
    Leinster Congratulations

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    Mute Dan Finlay
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    Sep 12th 2020, 9:03 PM

    People effuse about this morphing Leinster game plan, kicking on their terms and their love for defending but Ulster have been playing the better rugby for the majority of the game. I know Leinster are still winning but as a Leinster fan I expected a good bit more from Leinster tonight in preparation for Saracens. Doris has been quiet, Conan was petulant in the first half and it is not a day for Kelleher at line-out time. There have been moments when Leinster have shown good running rugby but the last phase fizzles out with an attacking penalty or picking the wrong option. We’ll need a better performance against Saracens, even without Farrell and Mako.

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    Mute Dan Finlay
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    Sep 12th 2020, 9:11 PM

    @Dan Finlay: and moments after posting Doris goes and scores.

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    Mute B Collins
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    Sep 12th 2020, 10:42 PM

    @Dan Finlay: Conan coughed up three penalties. Can not afford that against saracens.

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    Mute Conor HF
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    Sep 12th 2020, 8:14 PM

    Atrocious lineout from Leinster.

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    Mute David
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    Sep 12th 2020, 7:50 PM

    Great response.

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    Mute David
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    Sep 12th 2020, 9:10 PM

    Brilliant try.

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    Mute Anthony O Connell
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    Sep 12th 2020, 7:45 PM

    Great try! Very well worked. Come on ulster!

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    Mute Andrew Taz Donohoe
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    Sep 12th 2020, 8:47 PM

    Would be grand if Brace actually reffed Leinster. Let’s them away with murder at the breakdown

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    Mute Trevor Johnston
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    Sep 12th 2020, 9:51 PM

    @Andrew Taz Donohoe: fussy but fair

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    Mute David
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    Sep 12th 2020, 8:56 PM

    Here he comes. The Boss.

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    Mute rugbyanbeer
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    Sep 12th 2020, 7:52 PM

    Great try …..game over ..joking

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    Mute Rudiger McMonihan
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    Sep 12th 2020, 7:00 PM

    Anyone know if tg4 are showing this live or is it just discussions about the game starting at that time and the kick off being shown later on?

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    Mute Donogh O'Laighin
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    Sep 12th 2020, 7:04 PM

    @Rudiger McMonihan: I’m pretty sure it’s live

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    Mute Nathan Fulham
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    Sep 12th 2020, 9:11 PM

    Ulster happy to be in final, same as Heineken cup a few years back they failed to throw a punch… embarrassing

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    Mute Trevor Johnston
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    Sep 12th 2020, 9:27 PM

    @Nathan Fulham: you can only play as well as you are allowed. Leinster in total control.

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    Mute Michael Hayes
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    Sep 12th 2020, 7:55 PM

    SUFTUM

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    Mute Jimmy Cully
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    Sep 12th 2020, 9:54 PM

    Terrible commentators

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