Exciting opportunities ahead for Eddie

AFTER 16 months in his role as national coach, Eddie O’Sullivan is on the verge of winning the hearts and minds of the Irish rugby public.

It is worth recalling that the circumstance in which he was appointed was guaranteed to apply additional pressure on him. Warren Gatland had achieved significant progress with the national side in the Six Nations Championships of 2000 and 2001 and his departure coming as it did after depriving England of the grand slam in Lansdowne Road created much adverse comment at the time.

I first came in contact with O'Sullivan in the early 1980s. His proudest moment with Munster came against the all-conquering 1984 Australian grand slam side in Thomond Park. Even then, O'Sullivan struck you as a guy who was prepared to go the extra yard in order to achieve. His background in PE meant that he was well ahead of the rest in terms of physical preparation and fitness requirements.