Vultures circle O’Sullivan but O’Gara remains positive
There is considerable conjecture his number is up after failure to win all three home games this season with the outside chance of salvation should his side complete five wins in a row over the English this afternoon.
O’Sullivan remained as positive as ever when facing the media at the Pennyhill Park hotel yesterday.
He admitted: “There’s pressure in the job all the time and all the more so because we lost last week and we’re out of the championship.
“People will make judgements on me, they’ll make judgements on the team. That’s ongoing. All we can do as a team is focus on the England game and put on our best performance. If you let other people’s opinion on how you’re doing your job impinge on your preparations, you’re not doing yourself or the team justice. You’ve got to stay focused and that’s what we have done this week. That’s all you can do.”
Whether anything his team produces today will be sufficient to prevent the termination of O’Sullivan’s contract is very much in doubt, but the certainty is that Ronan O’Gara is deriving extra inspiration from his appointment as captain.
You also suspect he is a little relieved that his immediate opposite number is the relatively inexperienced Danny Cipriani rather than Jonny Wilkinson.
“I was surprised at that decision because I’ve always been a massive fan of Jonny,” he said. “I really admire him. He’s been at the top of the game and still remains a top out-half in the world. Of course this is a huge opportunity for Cipriani to stake his claim at international level. It’s the last game and they’re looking to see what he can do. But I don’t think you’re seeing the end of Jonny Wilkinson by any manner of means.”
Wilkinson and Cipriani are both natural left footers and that’s one reason why Eddie O’Sullivan suspects England’s change at number 10 may not make for any significant change in their tactical strategy, even if their supporters must ardently hope for a more expansive approach.
“Brian Ashton obviously believes that Danny Cipriani is going to step in and produce the same kind of dynamics as Jonny,” said O’Gara.
“And he can. He’s a very good footballer and the big challenge for him now is taking it on to the next stage.”
O’Gara admitted to being: “very impressed with Cipriani in the two Munster-Wasps games. They were two completely different types of game. We played them away on a soccer pitch which made for a fast game and I thought he had an excellent relationship with Rickie Flutey.
“In Thomond Park, we had a soft pitch and weather conditions were difficult and it was hard to establish any platform. Our pack got on top, hence he didn’t have the opportunity to shine. He is hugely exciting and a wonderful talent and has electric pace so he will have to be watched.”
Yet O’Gara also insisted that neither Cipriani nor any member of the English team will bother him unduly.
“I don’t think about any of them,” he stated. “I have to concentrate on my game and they’re my thoughts for the next 24 hours. I have to make sure of putting in a performance for my team. Danny Cipriani won’t come into my head between now and the game.
“I haven’t felt any added pressure being captain. I’ve enjoyed it and like to think I’ve taken it in my stride. It’s pretty well-established within the squad as to who leads and the young fellows have come in and added a freshness and a spark. The challenge is that we go out and express ourselves.
“Paulie (O’Connell) is back and is trying to contain his eagerness for battle. As Denis Leamy said this morning — he has played 25 games this year and he’s f**ked and Paulie has played only three and we’re trying to hold him back a bit. That’s great to hear going into playing England at Twickenham.
“As for my captain’s speech, if I have something to say, I’ll say it. If I don’t, it will be passed to the other leaders in the team. It’s about the team producing the goods for 80 minutes, the same as any other big game and luckily for me, I have a big game most weeks.”
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