Training camp vindicated, says O’Sullivan

IRELAND coach Eddie O’Sullivan hopes Saturday’s victory over South Africa has silenced criticism of the controversial training regime imposed on his Test stars.

The 10-week pre-season fitness training block was introduced by the IRFU to ensure their Triple Crown winners were in the best shape for this season’s internationals.

The provinces reacted angrily to the move and voiced their frustration at being denied access to their players for the opening games of the season.

But after seeing his side out-muscled by the Springboks over two Tests during the June tour, O’Sullivan remained adamant the regime was imperative if Ireland were to be successful.

“In South Africa we felt we struggled physically against the Springboks because they’re a huge side,” said O’Sullivan.

“We matched them on Saturday and a lot of the credit goes to the work the lads did during the summer. There has been a bit of flak about the 10-week training and fitness programme but we knew we had to get the players bigger and stronger to compete.

“We’re bigger and stronger than in June and that was a factor in the win. We were able to stay the pace, meet South Africa head on in the tackle, hit hard and carry the ball at them.

“It was also hard work for them to stop us. That didn’t happen by accident - it was because of the hard graft during the summer.

“The result was proof that that period of time was very valuable. To beat the Springboks you have to stand up to them physically - you have to fight fire with fire.”

O’Sullivan insists Saturday’s win was part of an ongoing process to create Ireland sides capable of beating southern hemisphere opposition regularly.

“We’ll take the win and put it in the bank. You can’t rest on your laurels,” he said.

“We’d be foolish to think we’ve turned the corner. But we’re getting there slowly but surely.”

O’Sullivan will be tempted to blood a couple of up and coming young players when he announces his squad of 22 today to take on USA at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.

Munster flanker Denis Leamy is in with a shout after being named in a list of eight players to join the squad of 22 that figured in Ireland’s famous victory over South Africa at the weekend.

However, John Kelly and David Wallace, victims of injury in an Irish squad session in Dublin last week, have been ruled out. Both would have been in the shake-up for positions.

But Anthony Horgan, uncapped Shaun Payne and Ulster’s rising star, the former U-21 full-back/winger Tommy Bowe, have been included.

The squad of 30 will be reduced today but O’Sullivan will rotate his team and allow at least some first choice players a chance to rest after Saturday’s physical encounter.

Meanwhile, Munster will be looking to Connacht to do them a Celtic League favour at the Gnoll on Sunday by beating leaders, Neath-Swansea Ospreys, who have an 11 point advantage over the Irish team, in joint second place with the Gwent Dragons.

IRISH SQUAD: Forwards: R. Corrigan, S. Byrne, J. Hayes, M. Horan, F. Sheahan, M. O’Kelly, P. O’Connell, D. O’Callaghan, S. Easterby, A. Foley, J. O’Connor, E. Miller, S. Best, L. Cullen, D. Leamy, A. McCullen.

Backs: G. Dempsey, D. Hickie, B. O’Driscoll, S. Horgan, G. Murphy, R. O’Gara, P. Stringer, K. Maggs, G. Easterby, D. Humphreys, T. Bowe, G. Duffy, A. Horgan, S. Payne.