O’Gara primed for battle of the out-halves

IN A GAME awash with sub-plots, none will be more central to the story-line than the duel between Ronan O’Gara and Stephen Jones at the Millennium Stadium next Sunday.

Widely accepted as the two form out-halves in the northern hemisphere, both have profited enormously from the almost telepathic communication with their respective scrum-halves — Peter Stringer and Dwayne Peel.

While both are 29 years of age, Jones is nine months older, three inches taller and a stone and a half heavier than his Lions colleague of two years ago, but O’Gara has won eight more caps and scored 145 more points for his country.

Those stats aside, few people would claim that there is much to choose between the pair on a good day, of which O’Gara believes the Llanelli Scarlets man has had many.

“I admire him hugely, I think he’s a great player and his track record down the years proves that. On the field there’s obviously competition when it comes to the Lions tour and things like that, but just because he is going for the same position doesn’t mean we can’t get on.

“Obviously, the two of us know where the line is and we just work within that. He’s intelligent, has a positive outlook on the game and mentally he is sharp. He’s a team player. All the fellas around him play for him and that’s a sign of a popular fella within a team.”

Though they played second fiddle to a barely fit Johnny Wilkinson on that ill-fated Lions trip of 2005, neither would fear a repeat on any future tour.

Jones has long had a list of admirers but, until his recent run of sublime form, O’Gara has had his share of critics.

“Things are going alright but I’m a small little cog in the machine … I hope not insignificant,” he added to much laughter. “That’s the beauty about team sports, isn’t it? Some days you’re not going to have 15 fellas playing at the top of their game. It’s a team effort and we need it for this campaign.”

Wales and Ireland have developed an ever increasing strength in depth since the advent of professionalism in the 1990s, and the Welsh in particular may need such resources this week.

First-choice backs Tom Shanklin, Sonny Parker and Lee Byrne have all been ruled out although better news was forthcoming yesterday over the well-being of Gavin Henson, Shane Williams and Mark Jones

“Whoever plays for Wales is going to be strong, you just have to look at the quality they have — especially in their backs,” said O’Gara. “They were ravaged with injuries a few seasons ago but they have huge strength in depth.”

The Cardiff encounter is being talked up in some quarters as the “decisive” game in this year’s Six Nations, but an icy stare and curt response from O’Gara confirms that is one sentiment he certainly doesn’t share.

If Ireland are to achieve the Grand Slam then every week between now and St Patrick’s Day will be crucial, though the visits of France and England to Dublin have understandably caught the imagination of the country.

As it stands, O’Gara has a 50% chance of kicking off the first-ever game of rugby in Croke Park. He had an opportunity to acclimatise himself with the new surroundings at a training session last week.

“It was only for 45 minutes but people are fully aware of what’s ahead this week. If we don’t perform against Wales, some people might not get to play in Croke Park. So, Croke Park is for next week.”