Lack of attack could see Valentine’s date with France turn bloody

THE HEINEKEN Cup is dominating rugby thoughts at present but Ireland’s Six Nations opener away to France is only three weeks away.

Inevitably, some players have suffered a World Cup hangover while others, such as Gordon D’Arcy and David Wallace have benefited by missing the tournament. While Connacht are enjoying a wonderful season and Ulster have impressed at Ravenhill, the team to face France will still be Munster-Leinster based.

So where do we stand?

The front row: After a so-so World Cup, Reggie Corrigan was immense last Sunday and should continue to hold off the ‘puppy power’ of Marcus Horan. Long-term, Horan’s development is extremely encouraging.

On the other side of the scrum, John Hayes remains our only option while at hooker it is incredibly close between Shane Byrne and Frankie Sheahan with Byrne probably getting the nod as the man in possession. However, in Connacht’s mobile Bernard Jackman, the selectors now have quality back-up for the top two.

Second row: It has long been this column’s opinion that Malcolm O’Kelly has had too many easy caps. Now is the time to move on. As written in the Daily Telegraph last Monday: “Paul O’Connell and Donncha O’Callaghan, both just 24, were immense. It is early days, but it takes no great leap of the imagination to see this dynamic duo becoming a fixture in not only the Ireland team, but also the 2005 Lions side in New Zealand.” ‘Nuff said.

Back row: The demise of the A internationals means no stepping-stone for young guns such as Neil McMillan, Roger Wilson or Johnny O’Connor. With Victor Costello looking his age and Anthony Foley making a welcome return to form, the back row should read Wallace, Foley and Gleeson. Although Wallace tends to play his best rugby at openside, his broken field running must be accommodated and if it is at six, then so be it. If the lineout struggles, Simon Easterby can come on.

Half-backs: Peter Stringer remains untouchable at scrum-half but surely his long-term replacement Guy Easterby can now be kicked to touch. Brian O’Meara is having an excellent season with Leinster and deserves to be on the bench.

Meanwhile, the O’Gara-Humphreys debate continues at out-half. The Munster man’s form has been patchy but his recovery in the second-half last weekend spoke volumes for his mental strength. Constant chopping and changing is no good for either player, O’Gara needs to be told he is number one for the foreseeable future with Humphreys used as a valuable option off the bench.

Centres: If O’Driscoll is fit, it will be ‘as you were’ for him and Kevin Maggs. However, should he be ruled out, there are a number of options at outside centre. The most exciting is Ireland’s form player Gordon D’Arcy, if he can build on last Sunday’s display at 13. Mike Mullins is in good nick but does not seem to have the favour of the Irish management while John Kelly is a safe option in centrefield. Despite his form for Leinster, Shane Horgan should be left on the wing (we all remember Murrayfield 2001).

Wings: If O’Driscoll is available, D’Arcy should be on the left with Shane Horgan on the right. If O’Driscoll is ruled out, then D’Arcy’s position becomes vacant and Anthony Horgan is next in line. After a holiday in Australia last autumn, the Munster man looks fast, fit and hungry.

Full-back: Geordan Murphy’s absence is a huge blow. Girvan Dempsey, as ever, represents the safe if uninspiring option but Shaun Payne’s composed displays for Munster may give the selectors pause for thought. Unfortunately, both Jeremy Staunton and Paddy Wallace remain too inconsistent to be seriously considered.

Theoretically, this is our chance to avenge our ignominious World Cup exit at the hands of the French. However, given the absence of our main attacking weapons, Hickie, Murphy and (possibly) O’Driscoll, Valentine’s Day in the Stade de France is increasingly looking like the date from Hell.

POSSIBLE IRELAND XV:

15. G Dempsey, 14. S Horgan, 13. B O’Driscoll/ G D’Arcy, 12. K Maggs, 11. G D’Arcy/A Horgan 10. R O’Gara, 9. P Stringer, 8. A Foley, 7. K Gleeson, 6. D Wallace, 5. P O’Connell, 4. D O’Callaghan, 3. J Hayes, 2. S Byrne, 1. R Corrigan

Replacements: D Humphreys, B O’Meara, J Kelly, M Horan, F Sheahan, G Longwell, S Easterby.