Why not send a defender to the fighting front?

WHAT chance would there have been of sublime out half Jonny Wilkinson resuming his international career last weekend if Eddie O’Sullivan were England’s rugby coach?

Just about as much chance as there is of someone turning to the impressive Ulster greenhorn Stephen Ferris and telling him he has no international future in the back row, but if he’d head off to the gym and learn to prop or hook, then the sky is the limit.

Phil Kearns and Steve Thompson both won World Cup medals in the front row having started their careers in the back row. With such scarce resources, we would be foolish not to consider every option. Surely the notion of converting a back row player to a front row player is not beyond the bounds of Eddie’s conservatism on the weekend rugby visits the wonderful Croke Park.