Squad maturing at a perfect time
With the World Cup now less than 10 months away, the November window for international rugby will prove vital to the plans of the respective management teams.
When the four home countries announced their squads within 24 hours of each other two weeks ago, it was inevitable that comparisons would be made. For me, Eddie O’Sullivan’s 32-man Irish squad represented the strongest collection of players that has been available to this country at any one time.
In terms of experience and age profile, this Irish squad is reaching maturity at the perfect time.
The second point to hit me was that the squads of both Ireland and Wales were infinitely stronger than that announced by England. While Andy Robinson’s selection was ravaged by injury, with up to 15 players unavailable, many of those on the physio’s bench have failed to produce on the international stage over the past two seasons.
After winning the Grand Slam in 2005, Wales were decimated with injuries with up to eight Lions unavailable at one stage. That forced the introduction of a number of new caps that have now added greatly to the depth of Gareth Jenkins’ squad.
While it impacted tremendously on their international results last season, it will, in the long run, help their World Cup campaign.
Ireland is in the unenviable position of selecting from a first choice squad with Jerry Flannery the only regular unavailable due to injury. As a consequence, Eddie O’Sullivan’s squad face the might of South Africa, Australia and the Pacific Islands over the next three weekends with a credible expectation of remaining unbeaten. Of the three, Australia poses the biggest obstacle.
It is a sign of the times when one sees the national management having to talk up the credentials of a touring Springbok side in an effort to dampen the expectation levels of the general public. Such has been the mismanagement of the game in recent times in South Africa that a country with multiple professional franchises is struggling to put an international team on the field.
When one considers that the tour manager was only appointed five days before the squad left on this tour, and clearly lacks the backing of the national coach Jake White, one gets an idea of the politics surrounding the game in South Africa.
If that wasn’t bad enough, the Springboks travel without the majority of their first choice forward pack with proven international stars such as Os du Randt, Victor Matfield, Bakkies Botha and Joe Van Niekerk left at home.
In addition outstanding back row forwards Schalk Burger, AJ Venter and Pedrie Wannenburg are ruled out because injury. No doubt, their replacement pack will possess sufficient brawn to test Ireland up front but the hard-core experience is missing.
Behind the scrum, South African back play has also regressed in recent times and will miss impressive scrum half Fourie du Preez, who is also rested.
South Africa had a torrid time in the recent Tri Nations series, but did manage to salvage some pride when beating both Australia and New Zealand on home soil in the third round of games when the competition was well and truly over. With what frame of mind they arrive in Lansdowne Road remains to be seen. When they travelled two years ago, they did so as Tri Nations champions with claims to be the best side in the world. Ireland’s victory on that occasion was a fantastic achievement.
The challenge for Eddie O’Sullivan this week is to ensure that Ireland kick start the autumn series at full tilt. This is an opportunity too good to miss. Jake White’s less than complimentary remarks on the state of the Irish game two years ago proved the catalyst for the team and the terraces to inspire a famous victory. Having learned from that experience, he is drowning Brian O’Driscoll’s team with platitudes this week, one suspects with good cause.
While O’Sullivan will recognise the chance to take a major scalp on Saturday, it is of far greater importance that he views these three games as an opportunity to introduce some fringe players. He, quite rightly, has stated that the Six Nations is not the ground for experimentation. That is why these games, coupled with the “A” international against Australia in Limerick next week, are vital.
While Peter Stringer remains Ireland’s No 1 scrum half, an alternative in Isaac Boss has emerged. Boss must be given a start, preferably against Australia, in order to establish his international credentials.
Eoin Reddan has been presented with his opportunity in the “A” game in tandem with his Wasps half back partner Jeremy Staunton. The selection of Luke Fitzgerald in his favoured full back position, despite his tender years, is both welcome and exciting.
The other key selection over the next few weekends revolves around the back up to Ronan O’Gara at out half. It is asking too much to expect O’Gara and John Hayes to front up in the entire international and Heineken Cup programme between now and the commencement of the Word Cup. O’Sullivan’s decision to promote Paddy Wallace to the match day squad is a clear indication as to the current pecking order behind O’Gara. Hopefully he will also be given a start over the next two weekends. Wallace is an outstanding talent who, due to lack of opportunity because of the continued brilliance of David Humphreys, has suffered in recent years. Now playing regular first team rugby, albeit at inside centre, he is worth a gamble.
These are exciting times for the Irish game. With the prospect of entertaining both England and France in front of an 82,000 capacity audience at Croke Park in the New Year, there is much to look forward to.
This time last year the absence of Paul O’Connell and Brian O’Driscoll proved a bridge too far for the Irish team. Despite their obvious playing ability, it was their leadership qualities, — particularly with Anthony Foley also excluded from that squad — that were missed most. Since then the likes of Neil Best, Denis Leamy, Andrew Trimble and Jerry Flannery have emerged as quality internationals.
The next three weeks will be critical to the development of this squad. A victory on Saturday against the might of the Springbok’s would provide the perfect launching pad.
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