Healy's pride at Aviva farewell despite France defeat

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The Aviva Stadium defeat ended Ireland's Grand Slam hopes and along with England's win over Italy on Sunday means they have dropped from first to third place before next week's final game against the Italians.

Leinster front-row Healy, along with fellow Ireland stalwarts Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray, will retire from international rugby after the Rome encounter.

Healy came on as a replacement against France and went over for a late try on an emotional occasion for the 37-year-old.

"Nice [scoring a try], that's about all. It would have been nicer if we were a bit closer in the fight," said Ireland's most-capped player.

"It was good, it was enjoyable at times. It was nice to be on the bench and have the opportunity to compose myself a bit after the anthems. That was tough.

"Just pride, just enjoying singing it here, the last opportunity to do it. I had to go in and wash my face and come back to neutral after that."

Healy added that there was disappointment in the dressing room after trailing by just two points at the break before France ran out comfortable winners in Dublin.

"Everyone's fairly upset about that. We had bigger plans and bigger intentions for that game but it was a hell of a battle.

"Watching on in that first 30 minutes was very intense and I thought we had points where we had them on the ropes and bodies were starting to tire and our lads looked alright, but I suppose we didn't capitalise on it."