Interim Ireland head coach Simon Easterby praised Peter O’Mahony, Cian Healy and Conor Murray following the trio’s final Test match against Italy on Saturday.
Ireland got the the four-try bonus point they needed to keep their slim Six Nations title hopes alive with a 22-17 win in Rome.
However, the match also marked an emotional farewell for O’Mahony, Healy and Murray, who played their final match in the emerald green before retiring.
“Those three players have been incredible for what they have done on the pitch, but we spoke in the changing room about what they had done off the pitch and helped players in similar positions to them and how they connected to players,” Easterby said.
They have left their mark on the team and on Irish rugby on the pitch, but internally they have had a real impact.
“You are always going to miss players that move on, particularly with their experience and time in the group, but it’s part and parcel of sport. We’ll recognise and acknowledge that tonight but we have to move on.”
While they wait on other results, Easterby said they will enjoy the evening regardless of how things unfold.
“For us, we can’t impact that now so we will go back to the hotel, get changed and share a bit of time together,” he said.
“It’s time that you share with people who you know have put a lot of work and effort in.
“It’s not to be dismissed to share that time with each other, particularly the players who are going to leave us. You don’t get that time back.”
Source: espn.com