| Against the head Wasps and Ireland star
JOHNNY O’CONNOR writes exclusively. It wasn’t quite the weekend we had planned
but having said that it could also have been much worse for us here in the
Ireland camp. Everyone is only too aware that we underperformed and we are
all extremely disappointed.
However having said that the worst thing the team could do would be let last
Saturday’s inept display, against what must be said was a tenacious and
competitive Italian side, get us down ahead of a much tougher test against
France this Saturday. Italy are a much improved side but it would be hard to
deny that the intensity of their pack as a unit and ferocity of their
tackling did take us by surprise.
It was hard not to feel sorry for their coach Pierre Berbizier who quite
justifiably felt his side were hard done by with some of the refereeing
decisions. Still the Azzurri must feel much more optimistic about their
chances of competing with England whom they entertain this Saturday.
While Ireland’s pack knew they faced a real battle with their Italian
opposites last Saturday the real disappointment was our lack of attacking
options. Because we were under pressure in the scrum and rather surprisingly
in the line-out neither the centres nor the wingers could get any kind of
effective service to attack the opposition’s line. It was a pity the way it
went and maybe we should have spread the ball a bit wider but we know we
must improve considerably for our game in the Stade de France.
Matters were not helped either by the citing of Denis Leamy which I thought
was a bit harsh. Hopefully he will be available for selection. I suppose the
biggest disappointment about last Saturday’s result was that it was the
first time that I can remember while I have been involved with the Ireland
set-up that we had a full-strength squad and we need to avoid any serious
injuries for the remainder of the campaign.
France’s shock defeat at Murrayfield has made our task even more difficult
and I’m not surprised to hear that Bernard Laporte has moved to introduce
some of his more experienced internationals. The Irish pack can expect
another equally tough afternoon this Saturday.
Elsewhere I was delighted to see my Wasps teammates Lawrence Dallaglio and
Tom Voyce get on the scoresheet for England at Twickenham. Andy Robinson’s
side have really set out their stall for this year’s Six Nations
championship after their comprehensive 47-13 victory over Wales. The Grand
Slam holders played much better than the scoreline suggests and the result
is an indication of the power of the current England squad. I’m also
expecting my French teammate Raphael Ibanez to be recalled for Saturday’s
game.
Already England’s game against France on March 12 is being spoken of as a
potential winner-takes-all championship decider but there is much rugby to
be played before that date. Scotland’s victory over France has also made
this Sunday’s game against Wales at the Millennium Stadium much more
interesting. |
