O’Gara decision is the right call

WITH four games played in this year’s Six Nations, one can’t escape the feeling that Ireland are back to where it all started, with the focus on Eddie O’Sullivan for all the wrong reasons.

After the disappointment of the World Cup, the necessity for sustained improvement in performance and results has not been forthcoming.

Despite the fact that several players who were below par last autumn in France have rediscovered their form, the Irish side remains a pale shadow of the team that captured the imagination not so long ago.

Contrast that with Wales. Their World Cup campaign was even worse than Ireland’s, given their exit came at the hands of Fiji. At least Ireland’s defeats were at the hands of teams occupying top-five recognition.

Wales, re-energised and restructured by a new management team, stand on the threshold of championship success and a potential Grand Slam. The turnaround has been staggering.

The most frustrating aspect from an Irish viewpoint is that this year’s championship was there for the taking. France’s have been operating in second gear. It says something about the quality of the other nations that despite constantly changing the team and introducing players barely out of nappies, France can still win the tournament.

England’s performances, apart from one polished outing in Paris, have been extremely poor.

If Ireland displayed anything like their form of 12 months ago then the 23-year wait for championship success would undoubtedly be over.

One of the most disappointing aspects of Saturday’s performance was the manner in which Ireland lost their shape and direction as the game progressed. In possession they were hesitant and seemed in two minds as to the best means of attacking. It was alarming, particularly with so many experienced players on board, to see this team lose its way against a competent but far from brilliant Welsh side.

Ironically it is the younger brigade introduced since the World Cup that have caught the imagination. Rob Kearney, on the wing or in his more favoured full back role, has grown in stature with every outing. Others like Tony Buckley, Jamie Heaslip, Luke Fitzgerald and Tommy Bowe have also emerged with credit.

If anything summed up Ireland’s current discomfort it was the sight of Brian O’Driscoll helped from the field in severe pain. O’Driscoll has more often than not has led by example.

But captaining provincial and national teams imposes its own pressures.

One feels that O’Driscoll may now be better served by relinquishing the captaincy at this stage and concentrating on his own game. Whatever reservations he may harbour in accepting this, with less responsibility and the opportunity of concentrating on his own game, he would be rejuvenated.

O’Sullivan’s decision to appoint Ronan O’Gara as captain in O’Driscoll’s absence is the right one. O’Gara has excelled in the role for Munster this when Paul O Connell was out injured. The decision to bypass O’Connell on this occasion is a good call as the Limerick man is still feeling his way back after protracted injury problems.

If O’Driscoll’s unavailability is a severe blow at least it is due to injury. Another iconic figure suffered an even worse fate yesterday — Jonny Wilkinson was dropped by England. Three days after breaking Neil Jenkins record as the most prolific points scorer in the history of international rugby, he must have seen it coming. His form and confidence is at an all-time low.

If O’Gara is chuffed with the opportunity to lead his country for the first time, one suspects he will be equally pleased that Brian Ashton has retained Ian Balshaw and Lesley Vianikolo in the back three. They will receive a stern examination.

Ashton, who is also under pressure after another poor Six Nations showing has retained the other 14 starters from Murrayfield on the assumption that they will be bristling to atone for that shock defeat. With just five of the team — including only one back, Paul Sackey — that started the final of the World Cup only five months ago, England look an average team.

If the confidence of the Irish players hasn’t taken too much of a battering they are capable of recording a third straight win in Twickenham.