Kidney’s carrot keeps everyone on their toes

TO arrive at the penultimate phase of the Six Nations championship unbeaten, with a clean bill of health, and competition for places at an all-time high is as much as any coach could have wished for — especially in Declan Kidney’s inaugural season at the helm.

With the distinct possibility that this year’s tournament could yet again be decided by points difference, it’s surprising that Warren Gatland has made 10 changes to his Wales front line team for a visit to Rome — where the result may still be a foregone conclusion but the margin of victory will be crucial. At present Ireland are on a points differential of +23 and +34 over Wales and France respectively, but both have appetising trips to the Eternal City on the horizon.

Chasing a first championship in 24 years and attempting to bridge a 61-year gap since the Grand Slam triumph of 1948 is sure to focus the minds of all within the Ireland set-up for what could be a very rewarding eight-day period.

For the more experienced members of this Irish squad, one senses it is now or never. Yet making sure that the thought process of the players does not shift for one moment to the possibilities of what may be on offer at the Millennium Stadium in 10 days is a key task for all in the Irish management team this week.

For that reason alone the decision by Declan Kidney to make four changes to the team for Saturday is justified. Automatically everyone within the starting team will be on their toes as they know that nothing can be taken for granted in terms of being in the side to face Wales. Also Peter Stringer, Gordon D’Arcy, Rory Best and Denis Leamy have been presented with an opportunity to fight for retention in the side for the final championship clash and also to lay claims for a place on the Lions tour. The dynamics of the team have changed overnight.

By common consent Ireland are still favourites to win in Edinburgh, despite the changes; based on performances to date, rightly so too. Attempting to talk up Scottish prospects is all well and good until you examine the video evidence of their last game against Italy. It really was terrible stuff to watch. What is all the more frustrating is that on the grounds of their autumn internationals where Scotland should have beaten a South African side that went on to annihilate England by a record margin in Twickenham, Scotland were expected to make a real impact on the championship.

Those who witnessed Glasgow defeat Toulouse with a smashing attacking brand of rugby at the Stade Ernest Wallon in January could hardly contain themselves as the Evans brothers Thom and Max confirmed their potential with outstanding displays. For the last few seasons Scotland have had a decent pack of forwards but relied almost exclusively on the metronomic boot of Chris Patterson for points. The latest set of brothers to represent Scotland would surely provide the missing link. Inexplicably neither was selected for the opening game against Wales where Frank Hadden’s men were expected to offer a stern challenge to the reigning champions. It never materialised as the Scots seemed overawed by the occasion. When Max Evans was introduced at the death and responded with a try it underlined even further the folly in omitting him in the first place.

Over the years Edinburgh and Glasgow have made life difficult for all the Irish teams in the Magners League by playing a high tempo game, using the width of the pitch to stretch opposition. Hadden himself was in charge of several Edinburgh teams that perfected this approach. It is either a testimony to the pressure he is under at present or a distinct lack of ambition but Scotland have now become too structured, predictable and boring. They are not trusting or backing their instinct to have a go as demonstrated so impressively by the Warriors in the Heineken Cup. If so many of the same players displayed that ability in the demanding cauldron of the south of France then surely they should have the ambition to reproduce that approach in their own back yard. It all smacks of a group of people operating under pressure. The victory over Italy may have eased that somewhat.

That is why this Irish team must trust their ability, skill levels and creativity to attack Scotland with the ball in hand as they did in the opening game against France. While England managed to frustrate Ireland with an excellent defensive screen devised by Mike Ford in Dublin, Scotland are not as aggressive in the tackle. Former Munster and Ireland defensive coach Graham Steadman, like Ford, enjoys a considerable degree of inside knowledge on several of the Irish players but has less material to work with than his English counterpart. Scotland’s line speed in closing down space is not as advanced at this stage.

This affords Ireland the opportunity to play. The back three of Luke Fitzgerald, Tommy Bowe and Rob Kearney have been impressive when offered space and must back themselves again on this occasion. Scotland kicked frequently and poorly against Italy perhaps motivated by the fact that the Italians were lacking any flair players in their back three. If they repeat the dose against an infinitely better Irish triumvirate then they must be punished.

As always much will depend on the quality of quick ball on offer. To be fair to Scotland their pack has been severely disrupted in the championship to date with second rows Nathan Hines and Jim Hamilton missing some or all of the games. In addition, highly-rated tight head prop Euan Murray only returned to action after injury for the Italian game in which they then lost loose head prop Allan Jacobson. If Ireland were forced to play without three of their first choice front five they too would suffer greatly. The fact that Hines and Hamilton remain in the selection mix after rejoining the squad this week will provide a boost to morale even if only one of them will be cleared to start. The re-introduction of Patterson will take the place kicking pressure off out half Phil Goodman which will be another positive.

Scotland look as if they will field their strongest team in the championship to date which will narrow the margin of quality between the sides and if Hadden can eventually pick his first choice second row Ireland can expect a difficult day out.

Warren Gatland’s decision to make so many changes for the Italian game has left him open to widespread criticism if it backfires. On the surface it is good news for Ireland but on closer examination they still have a very impressive back line on show which affords players like Gavin Henson, James Hook and Mark Jones a fresh opportunity to show their wares. Dwayne Peel is unlucky to lose out to injury once again. Hunger is everything in sport and Gatland is openly challenging these players to fight for inclusion in the team to face Ireland. It is a risky strategy as new combinations take time to bed in but one has to admire his long term approach in building the depth of his squad.

At worst Wales will be playing for a Triple Crown against Ireland regardless of what happens in Rome and should his attack-orientated side click and pile on the points, the championship will still remain a realistic goal for them.

Still all to play for.