Gaffney: O’Gara can sparkle

RONAN O’GARA’S form has been put under the microscope in this Six Nations championship but Alan Gaffney believes the Munster out-half has a “big” performance in him as Ireland prepare to face Scotland in Murrayfield on Saturday.

The Cork man has been a key figure in the Irish side since his debut against the Scots nine years ago but his wavering form was most apparent a fortnight ago against England when he missed four kicks on goal.

Other aspects of his performance — his kicking from hand and distribution — were also criticised that evening but Ireland’s back coach came out to bat for the player during yesterday’s media duties in south Dublin.

Explained Gaffney: “It was a difficult game for him against England and, while it’s been written and said he didn’t play well (against England), I don’t totally agree with that. If you look at that game, it never really developed for him.

“A game like Scotland, where it will be a little bit freer, is a game that should suit Ronan. I’m looking forward to a big performance from him.”

O’Gara’s stutters aside, Declan Kidney’s men would appear to be entering round four in the best shape possible. Three wins from three were followed by a mini-camp in Cork and three days of rest and recuperation.

In many ways, there is a pervading sense of déjà vu. All seems well, just as it was prior to the English match. Even the few

perceived selection calls are identical, though Kidney is unlikely to change a winning formula.

Gordon D’Arcy, Peter Stringer and Rory Best are again top of the queue awaiting the call to arms and all three featured over the weekend when their provinces claimed an Irish hat-trick of wins in the Magners League.

Gaffney admitted that the fringe players put their hands up “to a man”. D’Arcy’s display against the Ospreys was described as solid and he added that the back’s improvement was making his case for inclusion a greater challenge.

That said, it would still be a major surprise not to see Paddy Wallace, who has done nothing to point towards a demotion,

listed at number 12 when the side is named in Killiney at lunchtime today.

“Paddy has played well in the three games he’s had and D’Arcy has put his hand up. It’s a great contest there and that’s been one of the benefits that Declan has expressed. We’ve got a lot of guys on the bench who have made an impact.

“It does become tighter, there’s no doubt. Every moment D’Arcy plays and the more time he has, the more of a challenge there is there. It’s a very healthy challenge with both guys playing good rugby.”

Kidney possesses an embarrassment of riches so far into a Six Nations campaign. Given the attrition rate associated with modern rugby, one would normally expect at least some casualties by now. Gaffney concurred.

“It’s been fantastic and a lot of credit goes to the way Declan has controlled what we’ve done, as well as the fitness guys and the medical staff. You go to the sessions now and they are reduced.

“That’s been purposely done to keep players fresh, off their legs as much as we can, to get a really high tempo into the training sessions and then get them off the pitch. You don’t keep them out there for the sake of it.”

Scotland will be offer a different nut to crack than England. Gaffney expects there will be more air to breath this weekend and he won’t give too much thought to second-guessing what Scotland’s defensive coach Graham Steadman may or may not have in store for his former employers.

Avoiding a ‘sevens’ game will be of paramount importance. So too will the ability to concentrate on the mechanics at a time when everyone else is talking about the bigger picture. After all, Ireland expects.

“Deccie’s been very good in this area and there’s a lot of experience around him. Les (Kiss) has been around a long time, been involved in two Super 14 finals with the Waratahs, Gert (Smal’s) been involved in a World Cup winning side. Deccie has enormous experience in these areas. The players understand.

They’ve been around for a long time themselves. They know we’ve got to go and perform on the weekend. There’s no point trying to think a week and a half in advance. It doesn’t work that way. They play entirely differently, so Wwe can’t even think about Wales at the present time. It’s there in the back of your minds, somewhere in the subconscious, but it’s a totally different way of playing, Scotland and Wales.”