Move over All Blacks v Springboks - a France v Ireland Rugby World Cup final was the showdown everyone wanted, but never got.
At least, according to Ireland hooker Rob Herring.
Previewing the Six Nations opener in his regular column for the UK's BBC last week, the 39-test international suggested rugby fans were hard done by with a showpiece featuring the sport's oldest foes.
"What a way to start the Six Nations," opined Herring.
"This is the World Cup final that everyone wanted, but never got.
"It's really exciting. Ireland and France have been the best two sides in the world over the past number of years."
The game finished with a one-sided 38-17 win for Ireland over the hosts at Marseille. Herring wasn't selected to the matchday squad.
Ranked first and third respectively entering last year's tournament, Ireland and France had arguably been world rugby's standout test sides.
France were riding high, after losing just two matches - one of those with a second-string side - in two years, including a comprehensive win in the World Cup opener against the All Blacks. Meanwhile, Ireland were amid a 17-game win streak, which included a Six Nations Grand Slam.
The All Blacks reversed that trend with their gutsy performance to knock the Irish out of the tournament quarter-finals, denying them a world-record 18th-straight test victory.
On the other side of the draw, the Springboks broke French hearts with a one-point triumph in their quarter-final, before edging England to set-up a final against the All Blacks, who had comfortably dealt with Argentina to book their spot.
The old foes met in the tournament showpiece at Paris, where South Africa ground out a tense victory to claim their fourth World Cup.
Herring - who was part of the Ireland World Cup squad, but only featured in two pool matches - has been widely lambasted for the perceived bias in his comments across social media.
"Rob Herring needs to give an explanation on his understanding of the word 'everyone'," said Twitter user Andre Huisamen. "Because what sorcery is this, what delusion?"
"Rob Herring's world must be very, very small," said another.
"This is the World Cup final the French and Irish wanted, but never got," joked user Fix Xse.
Ireland have never progressed past the World Cup quarter-finals and last year's team was considered their best chance yet to make a genuine run to the title.
France are the only team to appear in a final without ever winning the William Webb Ellis trophy, losing all three finals they've contested.
"Teams have to WIN their quarter final (and semifinal) to actually play in a final 'everyone' wanted to see," said Twitter user seamus8080.
"I'd rather see RWC heavyweights compete in a final... not perennial 'can't get out of a pool/quarter final'."
"Both teams shouldn't have shat the bed and choked," said Kaylan Geekie. "All Blacks and Springboks is THE game, not a match between a side that never goes past the QF or group stages, and a side that also cannot win a World Cup.
"Northern hemisphere cognoscenti drivel."
The Springboks and All Blacks kicked off the World Cup ranked second and fourth respectively. South Africa have since risen to the No.1 spot, followed by Ireland and the All Blacks.
In week two of the Six Nations, Ireland face Italy at Dublin, while France have a bye.
