Coming of age of a squad with real depth

TIME was when the loss of Gordon D’Arcy and Shane Horgan would precipitate rugby’s version of a national emergency. No more.

At yesterday’s team announcement for the Six Nations meeting with Bernard Laporte’s France, there was no fretting, no creased brows from either coach Eddie O’Sullivan or captain Brian O’Driscoll concerning the ongoing disruption to their midfield.

Everyone hoped - and many presumed - D’Arcy would partner O’Driscoll for the first time since the opening 20 minutes in Rome. However, in spite of a comeback for Leinster on Sunday, D’Arcy has not made the necessary progress.