Ronan O'Gara has never backed down from a challenge, and so in answer to the appalling mental pressure he's been under since allegations about his personal life were paraded in the French newspaper L'Équipe last week, he showed great character in addressing the issues with the media after the defeat by France.

Those who wish to consider the impact of all he's endured might do well to study the close-up images of the outhalf during the anthems on Friday.

"It was difficult for a day or two," he says. "The most important thing is the people who know me realise there is no truth in those stories whatsoever. I'll be seeking advice to find out what is the best way for my wife and I to deal with it.

"The gambling affront doesn't bother me because I'll say it straight up: I do back horses and do it frequently. I own racehorses and have placed bets since I was 18. But the fact I have a troubled marriage is quite disappointing to hear.

"It's not for me to say I have a perfect marriage. Like everyone else little things happen but that's behind closed doors at home. I love my wife and she loves me; that's all I can say on the matter. It's hard to hear this stuff when you're in a hotel in France. You only get bits of it.

"It was said in L'Équipe that I owed 300,000 euros. That's a load of nonsense. A lot of the boys thought it was very funny but there's a serious side to it as well. It was upsetting for a day or two but by Wednesday there was no problem.

"There have been rumours about me going around for a year. The only good thing is that it's all come out and has now been put to bed. It's been despicable. Talk about disputes in your marriage and being told you've been kicked out of your own home is the lowest of the low.

"My wife is a primary-school teacher and I didn't expect this kind of rubbish. I rang home and braced her for it. I thought, 'Jesus, I can't believe it's in the papers.' I didn't ask for it and neither have I asked for support but the amount of people who have been onto me in the last week has been brilliant.

"They knew it wasn't a real issue. In fact most of the texts I've been getting have been good-natured banter."