Playing catch-up already

FOR some time now, Michael Cheika and Tony McGahan had feared that their opening Heineken Cup encounters against London Irish and Northampton respectively were fraught with danger, given the lack of collective game time accumulated by their respective first choice teams compared to their English counterparts.

From that point of view it was not unexpected that Ulster would provide the highlight of Ireland’s opening challenge in this season’s tournament with a morale boosting and well deserved victory over Bath by 26-12. Key players for Munster and Leinster are being asked to produce high octane rugby with precious little field time accumulated.

Not everyone has the unique facility of Brian O’Driscoll to produce exceptional performances after long periods of inactivity. He can go from first gear to overdrive without even drawing breath. A Lions tour always comes with a price. On this occasion with the long term welfare of the Irish contingent in mind, the delayed return to competitive action of so many forced the country’s top two to engage quality opposition withone hand tied behind their backs. Unfortunately it showed.