Clear and present danger
Anything less and he could be looking for a new job.
ONCE the standard bearer of northern hemisphere rugby, there are times when the Six Nations Championship sneaks up almost unnoticed like a long lost relative ringing the door bell at midnight. Never is this more the case than in the aftermath of the World Cup.
For seven weeks last September and October the rugby public was treated to a staple diet of competitive rugby incorporating the very best the international game has to offer. Almost immediately the best club sides in Europe engaged in the highly parochial warfare that is the Heineken Cup to decide who reigns supreme on this side of the world. Under such circumstances the traditional values that define the Five/Six Nations, now well over 100 years old, have been undermined somewhat. But once the opening round takes place it’s all systems go.
After the World Cup it is inevitable that many famous names are absent for the first time. This season Serge Betsen, Christophe Dominici, Raphael Ibanez and Fabien Pelous have retired from the French squad.
England have also lost Lawrence Dallaglio, Mike Catt, Martin Corry and Jason Robinson, while Italy’s talismanic scrum half Allesandro Troncon finally follows his long time half-back partner Diego Dominguez into retirement.
With Denis Hickie the only Irish player to hang up his boots, Ireland are in a comparatively strong position. While in recent years Ireland have been among the favourites in terms of potential championship winners, the focus for Eddie O’Sullivan this time is erasing the memory of a disastrous World Cup campaign with a series of competitive performances that produce results and reflect the experience and talent in the squad.
While the Irish team is likely to have a “same again”, almost staid factor surrounding it, the introduction of new coaches for France, Wales and Italy is sure to heighten the interest.
Given the appointment of my former management colleague Warren Gatland as coach of Wales, I will be taking a keen interest in their development, while the return to the international arena of former Springbok coach Nick Mallet in Italy will be worth following.
France announced a major shock after the World Cup by appointing the unheralded Marc Lievremont ahead of the more established coaching credentials of Philippe Saint-Andre, Fabien Galthie and former Italian coach Pierre Berbizier. The new coach has already stamped his authority with his 22-man squad for the opening game against Scotland by omitting a plethora of established names in favour of a new-look, younger squad.
Not surprisingly after an unexpected World Cup final appearance, Brian Ashton has been offered an opportunity to continue the rehabilitation of the English, squad while Frank Hadden has retained the reins with Scotland.
All of this means Eddie O’Sullivan is now the most experienced coach in the Six Nations championship. Ironically, he is also the one under the most pressure. The imbalance of the fixture list which sees Ireland travelling to Twickenham and Stade de France will do O’Sullivan no favours. In essence if the former Munster winger wishes to retain his job, despite the existence of his controversial four-year contract, the minimum requirement is success in the home fixtures against Italy, Scotland and Wales and creditable performances on the road.
After the excitement that surrounded the historic appearances of France and especially England in Croke Park for the first time last season, the build up to the tournament here has been non-existent.
The one event sure to change that was the announcement of the team charged with reviving Irish rugby fortunes for the opening game against Italy. For O’Sullivan this championship is fraught with danger. Duty bound to freshen up the side with new faces, he is also aware that losing a home game isn’t an option.
With Hickie retired and Paul O’Connell injured, change is inevitable. Jamie Heaslip, Bernard Jackman, Luke Fitzgerald and Tony Buckley have pressed their claims for the match-day squad and look certain to be included.
Elsewhere, O’Sullivan will be forced to place his faith and perhaps his job in the hands of the old reliables, some of whom have rediscovered their form.
After all brickbats, innuendo and distasteful comment that surrounded Ronan O’Gara’s French adventure, Munster’s inspirational out half responded in a manner which underlines his true greatness. Once again Ireland will rely heavily on the immaculate boot and inspired decision making that O’Gara brings to the table. No team at this level should have such an over reliance on any one individual which, in effect, means its strongest link is also its weakest link.
It is also gratifying and reassuring to see Brian O’Driscoll recapturing his form. In the second half of Leinster’s victory over Toulouse, he was outstanding. He was also Ireland’s best back at the World Cup.
The findings and public revelations of the Genesis Report have identified areas that need addressing within this current Irish management group. None of those issues have been dealt with in the short term and the majority of Ireland’s coaching team, with the exception of O’Sullivan, are out of contract at the end of the championship. That creates a nervousness that in times of pressure gives rise to self preservation.
Should Ireland fail to hit the ground running in this year’s tournament then one fears that a bad situation in the World Cup could become even worse. Certainly the likes of Scotland and Wales are a set to provide a far more comprehensive challenge to anything they have produced in Dublin for a long time.
It is the ability of this Irish squad and management group to cope with these challenges that will define the next seven weeks. As in any sport there is no substitute for winning. Eddie O’Sullivan knows that better than most.
Height: 1.83m (6ft)
Weight: 90kg (14st 2lb)
Age: 20 Caps: 0
It cannot be easy being the most hyped youngster in England, but Cipriani is already attracting the sort of headlines usually reserved for Jonny Wilkinson.
Pace, vision, great hands, quick feet, solid kicking from hand and off the deck; the 20-year-old fly-half seems to have it all.
His game management can occasionally be wayward but that will only improve with more game time - but how much will he be
Height: 1.91m (6ft 3in);
Weight: 107 kg (16st 11lb);
Age: 21 Caps: 0
The imposing Cardiff Blues full-back or wing is the only uncapped player in the Wales squad.
His inclusion kept experienced campaigners Gareth Thomas and Kevin Morgan out of the equation, leaving him to battle with Ospreys' Lee Byrne for the full-back berth.
The medical student has spent most of this season on the wing and his ball-carrying strength and defensive solidity have impressed Wales coach Warren Gatland.
Height: 1.85m (6ft 1in)
Height: 90kg (14st 2lb)
Age: 21 Caps: 1
The Leinster winger cum full-back has been knocking on the door for a couple of years and could be on the verge of a major breakthrough on the international stage.
An elegant and elusive runner with good football skills, Kearney offers Ireland a real attacking threat out wide.
And with Shane Horgan injured and Denis Hickie having hung up his boots, Kearney could be at the start of a long career.
Height: 1.88m (6ft 2in)
Weight: 103.4kg (16st 4lb)
Age: 21 Caps: 1
The Glasgow flanker was the only uncapped member of Scotland's World Cup squad and made his debut in the loss to New Zealand.
He is sure to be an international regular for many years to come and, despite strong competition in the back row, coach Frank Hadden will find it hard to leave him out.
Fearless in the tackle, Barclay is also a potent attacking threat and can boast an impressive turn of pace for his size.
Height: 1.93m (6ft 4in)
Weight: 95kg (14st 13lb)
Age: 24 Caps: 0
The rangy Clermont Auvergne winger has taken time to come through but he has been in superb form this season.
Malzieu has the height of a back-rower but he is genuinely quick and his size makes him very hard to bring down.
He has been keeping Fijian flyer Villimoni Delasau on the bench for Clermont and could partner club-mate Aurelien Rougerie on the wing for France.
Height: 1.83m (6ft)
Weight: 92.5kg (14st 8lb)
Age: 23 Caps: 0
The Edinburgh centre is yet to be capped but this may be his year. He has blistering speed and good handling skills, an area that has let Scotland down in recent times.
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