Listen to the blue-shirts: time for regime change

THERE they stood, arrayed in a defensive line as the crowd wended its way towards Lansdowne Road.

Well-heeled, immaculately gelled young men in labelled attire, they stood among us dispensing leaflets and calling out to the crowd.

"Lions itineraries, get your Lions itineraries," they shouted in strong South Dublin accents which clashed sharply with the earthier calls of "hats and scarves."

A Six Nations game between Ireland and France and these guys were handing out itineraries for a tour that would not commence for three months?

It all seemed very strange and indeed it was. For, on the front of the leaflet was the promised Tour dates and times but the back get this carried a large picture of Enda Kenny with the legend, "For The Real Grand Slam, Join Fine Gael And Be Part Of Our Drive For The Line."

Given that party's association with failure in recent years, this was not the most encouraging of pre-match omens and so it proved between Enda and the French, it was the day we were nobbled by blue-shirts.

The sense of anticipation beforehand rendered the disappointment of defeat all the more acute. And yet, it was nothing to the sense of despondency that descended last Tuesday when Eddie O'Sullivan named an unchanged line-up for tomorrow's game with Wales.

"I don't understand where people are coming from," he said in response to queries over his selection, "I can't see a reason for dropping any player."

We beg to differ.

Doubts about Dempsey, Maggs and the lack of ball-carrying dynamism in the pack had been highlighted before the French game and although the achievement of winning six games on the trot had been lauded, it had also been pointed out that the team wasn't operating at optimum efficiency. Of course, the injuries to Shane Horgan and Gordon D'Arcy have not helped but the reason Tuesday's 'same-as' selection was so sickening was because it made no acknowledgement of difficulties in key areas.

Loose head: Reggie Corrigan gives his all but, with no discernible difference in their scrummaging ability, Marcus Horan's greater footballing ability could have helped kick-start the pack in Cardiff. The Munster man is invariably brought on with quarter of an hour to go too late to make a significant difference.

Blindside: Simon Easterby has been off the boil for a while now. And, even when the Llanelli man was bubbling, it was as a tackler and lineout-winner and never for his yard-gaining abilities. Eric Miller and, in particular, Alan Quinlan are proficient in all three areas.

First centre: Kevin Maggs has been a loyal servant over many years but his performance was way below par last weekend and though there are not many options (John Kelly?), having Maggs on the team-sheet does not inspire confidence.

Right wing: It is unpleasant to see a player constantly pilloried when he is never less than competent and is always committed, but we needed speed and menace on the wing against Wales. Whether it was Tommy Bowe, Gavin Duffy or Anthony Horgan someone had to come in. Sticking with Girvan Dempsey sends out the wrong message.

Yet, Ireland could still win tomorrow. The half-backs will have better ball to work with as the Irish will surely have targeted the vulnerable Welsh front five. Paul O'Connell and Anthony Foley will have a much bigger impact this time out and the (increasingly ridiculous) Gavin Henson will surely see some of his tan rubbed off by the bristle of Johnny O'Connor.

Inspired by this, we may even see Dempsey shackle Williams, Maggs shore up midfield and make hay on the charge and Easterby and Corrigan pop up around the park. But even if all this happens, it does not make O'Sullivan's selection the correct one.

Loyalty is one thing, conservatism in the face of conclusive evidence for change quite another.

At least Eddie won't have Enda Kenny and Fine Gael hexing him. Indeed, given that Wales are seen as 'bankers' and we are trying to rob them of Grand Slam glory, perhaps we should ask Sinn Féin if they would hand out a few flyers in Cardiff.