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For one, he said, it comes from a fragrant red rose known as Lasting Love, bred by French hybridizer Michel Adam.

It was not long before he had a conversation with Red Rose head coach Simon Middleton about a player he "can't fault".

"The values it takes to be a high-performing Red Rose are ingrained in her character and she is highly respected within the squad," he said.

Apparently, they manage to rouse themselves only for games against England, their over-performances fuelled by hatred of the Red Rose.

He cannot have been pleased to see such gaps appearing across the Aviva Stadium pitch through the period that saw Cadan Murley's debut try give the Red Rose a deserved lead.