Lindsay Peat felt the full force of a professional outfit in Toulouse on Saturday as France powered to a 24-0 victory on day one of the Six Nations.
Ireland turned Les Bleus over in the championship last year but were outclassed in the World Cup during the summer, when the supreme French eased to a 21-5 success.
The likes of Sophie Spence and Maz Reilly hung up their boots in the aftermath of a hugely disappointing World Cup on home soil.
It led to new head coach Adam Griggs bringing in fresh faces like Megan Williams and Laura Feely for the spring. And while 37-year-old Peat praised the application of the Irish in France, she felt inexperience - and their opponents' full-time status - proved the difference.
"We always said it was going to be a big transition... new faces, and we lost a lot through retirement, some very experienced and world-class players. Our endeavour was there and our work rate but it was a tough night at the office," she told Today With Sean O'Rourke on RTÉ Radio 1.
"I could barely move yesterday. In the front row, it was basically like meeting an articulated lorry. You could barely breathe. It was sore to even move on the plane. It was a very physical game.
"We really tried. We travelled back on the plane yesterday and that was a time we could have gone to ice baths or recovery booths. I'll go to work now this afternoon; we've a full week's work before we meet up again on Friday for those who are included in the squad for the Italy game this weekend at home."
Peat felt that the tide turned against Ireland in small, but crucial, moments, which the team need to learn from quickly.
"We gave the French way too much space," she added.
"There are moments that can change a game. We were on their five-metre and we lost the lineout. Then they decided to arrogantly go for another lineout which we stole.
"Then we sort of had a bit of white-line fever and that's where the inexperience comes in. The French turned over the ball, they kicked it and they had another try rather than us."
