More than a game

WITH each passing day as the clock ticks towards kick-off against England on Saturday, issues of history rather than rugby dominate.

Ten days ago, in the aftermath of the devastating last minute defeat by France even Eddie O’Sullivan conceded the occasion definitely impacted on the performance of the Irish players in the opening 15 minutes.

While Ireland will benefit from the experience of Croke Park two weeks ago, there is no doubt events prior to kick off on this occasion could even be more highly-charged. For many in the GAA community, the prospect of England playing in Croke Park and the emotional baggage that goes with that was arguably the biggest obstacle in the decision to open GAA headquarters to other sports.

For some, the prospect of ‘God Save the Queen’ being played on Jones Road presents an even more formidable challenge because of what happened on ‘Bloody Sunday’. Yet the decision to play international rugby at the home of the GAA has now provided a forum by which our European neighbours France, and England in particular, have been exposed to the events that shaped the history of this country.

In the aftermath of the France game captain Raphael Ibanez revealed how his team had sat down and educated themselves on the history of the GAA and the obstacles surrounding the opening of Croke Park.

Last Monday, one of our own, Conor O’Shea, was invited by England coach Brian Ashton to explain the historical significance of their visit in an effort to ensure due respect is paid to the venue. Geordan Murphy also revealed how he had spoken to Leicester colleagues and England squad members Julian White, Louis Deacon and George Chuter on the significance of the occasion. They were left open-mouthed.

As a consequence of the GAA’s decision to open Croke Park, not only have they saved the prospect of thousands of Irish supporters travelling overseas for a ‘home’ game but have highlighted historic events in the build-up to Irish independence to an international audience. That in itself is a tribute to Michael Hogan and the 13 others who died in that appalling atrocity.

The focus of many in the international community will descend on Croke Park in the minutes prior to kick-off when the national anthems are being played. I hope England’s anthem is given due respect and that our European neighbours and worldwide audience will witness a representation of modern Ireland, proud of its past, confident and secure in its future.

Under the circumstances, particularly as the national press, radio and television concentrate even more on these issues over the next few days it is vital that the Irish team become detached from the hype and potential controversy, a circumstance they clearly had difficulty with ten days ago.

For all kinds of reasons there is huge pressure on Ireland to win this game. Their entire championship now rests on the outcome. Should they manage to stay focused, they are more than capable of winning. With Brian O’Driscoll now restored to the starting line up and Shane Horgan back on the wing, the team has a better balance. Neil Best however is decidedly unlucky not to be included in the side.

Much has been made of Ireland’s slow start not only against France but in many big games over the past two years. It is crucial therefore that they dictate the pace right from the off. Brian Ashton picked his side a week early with a view to getting the English clubs to rest as many of his starting fifteen as possible. In the end 13 of his match day squad were forced to play last weekend. They will feel that in the last quarter of this game but only if Ireland impose the pressure in the opening 20 minutes.

For Ashton, returning to Dublin as an international coach against this Ireland team must set his mind wondering. In his brief tenure here in the 1990’s, he had a vision of back play inspired by his desire to play the perfect game. He wanted Ireland to execute a wide game, with the wingers constantly standing on the touchline forcing the opposition to spread their defensive line. However at the time Ireland didn’t have the personnel with the skill required to execute such a brave game plan.

The irony is that the current Ireland backline is more capable than any of its predecessors of executing Ashton’s vision. The Engand back division, in particular the midfield combination, look ordinary by comparison. The reunited axis of O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy has the capacity to decide the outcome of this game.

In the returning Jonny Wilkinson, England have a talismanic figure with the aura to lift all those around him by his very presence. However it is the ability of Andy Farrell and Mike Tindall to cope with the attacking flair of the Leinster duo that will be crucial from an England perspective. Farrell was an outstanding rugby league international, perhaps the greatest of his generation. With limited exposure in the union code, he is about to face his biggest test.

The biggest challenge for Eddie O’Sullivan is to ensure Ronan O’Gara and his midfield generals are given sufficient good quality ball to expose a potential England weakness. That will come down to the performance of the front five and the availability of Peter Stringer. His pass gives the outside backs a vital extra second.

As an assistant coach in the past to Clive Woodward and Andy Robinson, Ashton was uncompromising in his views on how England should play. He wanted a ball in hand game exploiting the width of the field. It is amazing therefore that since his ascension to the key head coaching role, pragmatism has been his preferred philosophy.

Inspired by Leicester’s performance at Thomond Park, you can be sure Ashton will promote route one rugby with England’s forwards set to unleash their maul in a bid to frustrate Ireland. With four of Ireland’s front five from Munster, the pressure is on for that collective unit to regain the form that served province and country well in recent times. In their last four performances against Bourgoin, Leicester, Wales and France, either the scrum or line-out encountered technical problems at different stages. These lapses need to be rectified for Ireland to win.

Should Ireland succeed in controlling the pace and quality of possession then with the first-choice backline reunited they possess too much fire power for an England side still struggling to cope with the retirement of many of their World Cup winning heroes.

I have no doubt the Irish players will rise to challenge on the field. It is my fervent hope that all Irishmen and women present also make it a day to remember for all the right reasons.