| Comedy of errors decides Paris match With Gareth Makim
 Don’t believe
the hype. The only thing that Ireland’s second half come back did
was ensure that Eddie O’Sullivan wasn’t heading into next
weekend’s clash with Wales trying to rebuild his team after a record
defeat.
Don’t believe for a second the version of events, as proffered by
O’Sullivan, that “we played all the rugby, they did nothing
but capitalise on our mistakes”, an incredibly blinkered summary
of a game that saw France lead by 40 points after 50 minutes. Granted,
four of France’s six tries came directly from mistakes that would
have drawn a shake of the head in a junior schools’ cup match, but
the reality is that France didn’t dominate because they didn’t
have to.
O’Sullivan’s comments were disingenuous if not insulting.
To claim that Ireland were unlucky to lose a game which was more remarkable
for the fact they could have won showed scant regard for a public which
deserves better. Ireland’s four late tries in fact said more about
the unstable and frankly dangerous habit the French continue to exhibit
where they underestimate opponents they are in the process of outclassing.
Where Wales took full advantage last season, Ireland were too far behind
to do the same.
The aftermath of the past two weeks has left a number of established names
looking anxiously over their shoulders. Malcolm O’Kelly was again
below par and seems a shadow of the player he has been in the past. He
was again replaced by Donnacha O’Callaghan, who was one those to
take advantage of the second half momentum to put forward his case for
a starting berth.
Prop Simon Best also performed well after coming on, having a point to
prove after he was snubbed by the promotion of the ageing Reggie Corrigan
to replace the injured Marcus Horan, although the Munsterman’s return
to the fold will keep Best on the bench.
Geordan Murphy’s poor performance was epitomised by the try he gifted
to Cedric Heymans. Irish fans have long waited for Murphy’s club
form to be transferred to the international stage, but he appears to regress
when in the green of Ireland, making poor decisions and inhibiting his
natural tendency to attack. Simon Easterby again failed to show his Lions
form and Denis Leamy only began to play in the second half, but the back
row pair and Murphy are likely to be retained.
Arguably, it was Ulster wing Tommy Bowe whose cause has been most damaged
in the opening rounds of the tournament. Bowe still has the makings of
a quality international, but his missed tackle led to the first French
score and after that looked increasingly hesitant as the game passed him
by. A break will surely allow him to regroup and give Andrew Trimble a
spot in the line-up.
There were positives, though, that cannot be ignored. The performances
of Paul O’Connell and David Wallace in the pack were outstanding,
while Jerry Flannery is bedding into the front row very nicely. The likely
absence of O’Connell for the visit of Wales would be a massive loss.
Peter Stringer gave one of his more competent displays, while Gordon D’Arcy
and Shane Horgan worked tirelessly, continually battering the French defence.
Horgan is at last being used to good effect at restarts, but Ireland will
not reap the benefits until he receives better support.
If the last half an hour in Paris has somehow instilled some confidence
in Eddie O’Sullivan’s faltering squad, then a run at the Triple
Crown is not out of the question. But unless the coach and the players
are honest with themselves and address their deficiencies, the remainder
of the Six Nations could make for very ugly viewing indeed.
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