Kicking king O’Gara odds-on to break record

RONAN O’GARA is 80 minutes and nine points away from breaking Ireland’s all-time scoring record.

The Munster fly-half has 505 international points, just eight points adrift of David Humphreys, and bookmakers yesterday predicted the Corkman will edge in front at Lansdowne Road today.

In fact, Cashmans don’t give much away to the punter by offering O’Gara at odds of 1-10 to do the business against France.

Cashmans also quote O’Gara at evens to pick up the first score of the match and that appears to be reasonably generous in the circumstances given his magnificent scoring record.

The out-half is quoted at 20-1 to score the opening try but the bookmakers have closed ranks on Ireland’s main scoring backs by offering Brian O’Driscoll, Denis Hickie, Girvan Dempsey and Geordan Murphy all at 12/1.

Kevin Maggs, making a return to the team in place of Gordon D’Arcy is on 14/1 and an outside bet (although not a very good one) is prop forward Reggie Corrigan at 33/1.

The Greystones and Leinster player is one of just two in the Ireland team who have failed to score at international level. However, you might excuse the other, flanker Johnny O’Connor, who has won just four caps - Corrigan has played 42 times.

Everyone else in an experienced Ireland side have enjoyed success in scoring terms, with O’Driscoll (26) and Hickie (25) well ahead in the try-scoring stakes, followed by Murphy and Maggs (each on 14 tries).

Between them, Ireland’s starting 15 players have won 694 caps between them. They’re led by Malcolm O’Kelly (71) and followed by Maggs (67). All bar O’Connor, have won at least 25 caps and eight of them have amassed over 50 appearances, a milestone due to be reached today by Hickie.