| Lessons to be learnt from last
season’s optimism
 BY LARRY COONEY
After a year in which Ireland was expected to build on their 2004
Triple Crown success Eddie O’Sullivan’s side had experienced a painful
reality check by the end of a disappointing Six Nations campaign.
Installed as one of the Grand Slam contenders at the beginning of the
campaign, Ireland discovered that without the genius of Lions captain
Brian O’Driscoll they were only a very moderate and ageing team that
were fortunate to finish in third place in the Six Nations championship.
Ireland’s failure to land the coveted Grand Slam at the expense of a
resurgent Wales team inevitably led to calls for widespread changes in
the international squad and the retirement of a number of their
long-serving players. While the team was severely hampered later in the
year by the loss of key players Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Connell, it
gave the Ireland team management an opportunity to look at some emerging
talent. Manager Eddie O’Sullivan has so far resisted the temptation to
make widespread changes since the last Six Nations campaign.
Based on the inevitable transition that is sure to take place within the
current squad in the coming months, it is therefore fair to assume that
unlike a year ago when lifting the Grand Slam and Championship looked
such an attainable objective, this time a return to the more customary
three wins from five would appear to represent a more acceptable and
reasonable return for Eddie O’Sullivan’s team.
Gazing ahead to Ireland’s prospects in the Six Nations championship
Ulster centre Andrew Trimble looks a seriously exciting runner with an
inherent cutting edge. Given his already proven ability to fill in at
wing or centre Trimble is certain to be included as back up
three-quarter in the squad now that O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy have
renewed their partnership.
The other remaining newcomers included Ulster prop Simon Best who made a
reasonable impact in a tough international debut against Romania. Best’s
challenge for the No. 3 shirt should keep John Hayes on his toes in what
many regard as the most vulnerable part of the Ireland scrum.
While the Irish back-row may not have the same problems and while Neil
Best coped adequately as a deputy for Simon Easterby the balance of
selecting the correct three could still be a problem for manager Eddie
O’Sullivan. Although he had a good autumn international series Johnny
O’Connor still has his critics but the Wasps star looks assured of a
long international career.
Besides being a proven ball carrier Denis Leamy also excelled at No. 8.
The promising form of David Wallace and Shane Jennings are other
possible options for Eddie O’Sullivan.
At half-back although the Kieran Campbell experiment was partially
successful his tendency to step before release will see Peter Stringer
still in place come the visit of the Italians in February. Stringer’s
speedier and slicker passing off either wrist will see Campbell’s
probing strength back on the bench.
Stringer’s selection is almost certain to mean that O’Gara will continue
to prevail at out-half. However recent performances at provincial level
will still see David Humphreys in contention.
Beyond that O’Driscoll and D’Arcy with Hickie and Shane Horgan on the
wings will probably mean Trimble and Tommy Bowe will have to be content
with places on the bench.
Assuming the Ireland team management has learned from some of the harsh
lessons of last season’s Six Nations campaign as well as the recent
autumn internationals, the future of Irish rugby is nowhere near as
depressing as some would suggest. However Ireland will still be doing
extremely well to retain their current third place in the Six Nations
championship.
Ireland’s Six Nations fixtures
Round 1:
Saturday, February 4
Ireland v Italy
Lansdowne Road, 1.30pm
Round 2
Saturday, February 11
France v Ireland
Stade De France, 2.30pm
Round 3
Sunday, February 26
Ireland v Wales
Lansdowne Road, 3pm
Round 4
Saturday, March 11
Ireland v Scotland 15.30
Lansdowne Road, 3.30pm
Round 5
Saturday, March 18
England v Ireland
Twickenham, 5.30pm |
