O’Sullivan relishing chance to banish memories of ‘disappointing’ World Cup

EDDIE O’SULLIVAN has welcomed his stint as Barbarians coach as an early chance to banish memories of Ireland’s calamitous World Cup.

O’Sullivan is preparing the Barbarians for Saturday’s clash with South Africa at Twickenham – his first coaching assignment since the tournament in France.

Ireland, who entered the World Cup with high hopes, flopped abysmally by crashing out at the group stage – nine points adrift of Pool D leaders Argentina.

The Irish Rugby Football Union’s inquest into the debacle is nearing its conclusion and O’Sullivan admits it has been a painful process.

But the 49-year-old insists the Barbarians job has begun the healing process. “For Ireland the World Cup was hugely disappointing. We failed to produce anything that vaguely resembled our form during the season,” he said. “Since then it has been a tough time trawling through everything that happened.

“That process has nearly come to an end and the Barbarians offers me an opportunity to get back on the horse.

“It feels good to be back on the horse. You always ask hard questions and the hardest questions you ask are of yourself.”

O’Sullivan is enjoying the different challenges presented by coaching the Barbarians. “Coaching the Barbarians is a unique honour and it gives me the opportunity to work with some hugely talented people,” he said.

“It’s very different to coaching Six Nations or international level.

“You just have to act as a conduit between these players – a kind of facilitator. In many way with the Barbarians less is more.”

Meanwhile Mark Regan has maintained his collision course with Bristol by pledging his commitment to the Barbarians’ clash with South Africa on Saturday.

The stand-off continued yesterday when the Barbarians confirmed Regan would lead the side out at Twickenham after handing him the captaincy and hooking duties.

Bristol are opposed to their combative England front row participating in the match, even though their EDF Energy Cup clash with Leeds on Sunday is a dead rubber.

Premier Rugby had forbidden any player from their 12 members clubs from taking place in the fixture against the Springboks to protect the integrity of the Anglo-Welsh Cup.

The sensitivity of the issue prompted organisers to prevent Regan from taking his place alongside coach Eddie O’Sullivan at yesterday’s press conference to announce the team. However, the 35-year-old issued a statement confirming his determination to play for the Barbarians: “It’s going to be a great day for me and my family to lead out a star-studded side at Twickenham. It will be a great birthday present for my daughter. Both my daughters are mascots.”

The withdrawal of Regan’s England team-mate Andrew Sheridan from the squad was confirmed yesterday, as the club demanded Sheridan play in Friday’s cup clash with Leicester.

The Barbarians’ starting line-up features five All Blacks, including prolific winger Joe Rokocoko, and Wallaby Matt Giteau at fly-half. Clubless former Northampton winger Ben Cohen, stuck in limbo following the collapse of his move to Leicester, is named on the bench.

Meanwhile, Connacht have announced a 24 man squad ahead of their Magners League clash with Glasgow Warriors at the Sportsground on Friday (kick off 6.30pm).

Both John Fogarty and David Gannon will undergo fitness tests before Michael Bradley announces his side on today.

CONNACHT: A Browne, M Deane, T Donnelly, G Duffy, A Dunne, A Farley, A Flavin, J Fogarty, D Gannon, R Loughney, M McCarthy, C McPhillips, J Merrigan, R Morris, J Muldoon, J O’Connor, R Ofisa, C O’Loughlin, D Riordan, M Swift, O Treviranus, B Wilkinson, A Wynne, D Yapp.