Irish eyes turn to Twickenham finale

Saturday offered a glimpse of what Ireland’s rugby future might look like when Brian O’Driscoll, Paul O’Connell, Ronan O’Gara and David Wallace depart the international scene on a permanent basis.

Mon, 12 Mar, 2012 - 00:00

Donal Lenihan

A rugby player, coach and manager during a glittering career with Munster, Ireland and the Lions and now a definitive voice in Irish rugby analysis and commentary.

Accepting that Scotland have their limitations, there was so much to admire in Ireland’s comprehensive 32-14 Six Nations victory, not least the contribution from some of the less experienced brigade.

When Sean O’Brien was forced out of the Irish team on the back of the other high-profile casualties, the sense grew that Saturday’s contest was going to be a real test of character. Paul O’Connell is one of those special players that inspire those around him by his presence alone. With Brian O’Driscoll also an absentee, it meant Ireland had to negotiate a Six Nations contest without at least one of those inspirational totems for the first time since facing Italy in Rome in 2001.