O’Sullivan bids to restore reputation by springing Boks shock

EDDIE O’SULLIVAN’S campaign to repair the damage done by Ireland’s embarrassing World Cup and land the prized Lions job starts tomorrow.

O’Sullivan is coaching the Barbarians for their Twickenham showpiece against South Africa and his performance will be under the microscope.

The real business of convincing the Lions committee that Ireland’s abysmal World Cup was just an aberration will be conducted during next year’s RBS 6 Nations. But O’Sullivan needs to restore the reputation that took a fearful battering in France as quickly as possible and knows victory over the Springboks would begin the healing process.

O’Sullivan welcomed his Twickenham assignment as a chance to “get back on the horse”. The 49-year-old has plenty of ground to make up.

Just three months ago he was viewed as the outstanding candidate to lead the cream of British and Irish rugby to South Africa in 2009. Such was his confidence in his own credentials that during negotiations for his new Ireland contract in August he demanded a break clause enabling him to lead the Lions. But Ireland’s big-name players misfired in the World Cup, and O’Sullivan’s own shortcomings were exposed and he needs to prove he is a wiser coach for those weeks in France.

O’Sullivan has had time to retreat, lick his wounds and regroup for the challenges ahead. Now it is time to start restoring his credibility as a serious contender to coach the Lions.

The words of Lions chief executive John Feehan last week may have unnerved him with the selection panel willing to look beyond the four home nations for their coach. This has led to support for Ian McGeechan, Wasps director of rugby who has overseen three previous Lions tours.

O’Sullivan, who began the summer as bookies’ number one must impress at Twickenham — and hold good on his declaration Ireland are eager to set the record straight in the Six Nations.

South Africa have made three changes to the side that beat Wales for the showdown with the Barbarians.

Bismarck du Plessis comes in at hooker for World Cup-winning captain John Smit, who has been denied permission to play by his club Clermont Auvergne. Veteran lock Johan Ackermann replaces injured Bakkies Botha, while winger Akona Ndungane replaces JP Pietersen at number 14.

SOUTH AFRICA (v Barbarians): R Pienaar, A Ndungane, J Fourie, F Steyn, B Habana, A Pretorius, E Januarie, CJ Van der Linde, B Du Plessis, J Du Plessis, J Muller (captain), J Ackermann, S Burger, J Smith, R Kankowski .

Replacements: T Liebenberg, H Van Der Merwe, A Van Den Berg, B Pieterse, W Olivier, W Julies, C Jantjes.