O’Leary unfazed by out-half debate

It was the word that inevitably dominates the thoughts after a 15-minute chat this week with Ireland scrum-half Tomás O’Leary.

You might have imagined the talented and versatile 26-year-old Corkman, who wins his 12th international cap against Italy at Croke Park on Saturday, must have been pleased when Ronan O’Gara was announced as his half-back partner rather than Jonathan Sexton.

After all, they have played so many times together for Munster whereas he would be less familiar with Sexton’s game.

“Sure, it doesn’t really matter who we pick at 10,” he declared. “They’re all capable of doing a job so it doesn’t really matter. It’s great for Ronan personally but whether Jonny or Paddy (Wallace) plays there, doesn’t really matter. Yeah, I suppose familiarity does help a small bit. Of course, I’m used to playing with Ronan whereas I wouldn’t have played a whole pile with the other lads. But if I was playing with the other lads it wouldn’t effect me unduly or effect them I’m sure. It might help a small bit but it doesn’t make a major difference.”

And then there’s the appointment of Romain Poite – the French referee who yellow carded Paul O’Connell in the recent Heineken Cup match between Munster and Northampton, having previously angered Munster in their gallant efforts to shock the All Blacks in the memorable game at Thomond Park in November 2008. Was he a little apprehensive on that count?

“He did grand, I thought, and no, I wouldn’t consciously adapt to suit his style,” he declared. “I wasn’t dealing with him because I wasn’t the captain. I’ve no problems with him, he’s a very good referee.”

After the Grand Slam triumph of 2009, there is a widespread, belief that the top team of last season will slaughter the whipping boys, all the more so with the game being played in Dublin.

“I suppose that makes it more difficult in itself but we just have to try to concentrate on the processes of the game and the basics of the game,” O’Leary reasoned. “Italy are a strong, physical side. We just have to make sure we do the basics well and compete with them physically, especially for the first 40 minutes and not let them get into the game.” It is hard to imagine an Irish team lacking motivation, especially when in position to pull off a Grand Slam in successive seasons. O’Leary rationalises the situation pretty simply: “We all want to win this game and set ourselves up for the next one. If we lose this game we’re on the back foot straight away. It’s a massive game for us and we’re not treating it lightly.”

Does defending a Grand Slam mean a different approach than winning for first time?

“We’re not really thinking about the Grand Slam last year, we’re trying to improve our performances and build for the future,” he maintains. “We’ll concentrate on the performance but the result is the key. Confidence is high. But you don’t come into camp thinking you’re a Grand Slam winner or champion from last year. You come in focused on the challenges ahead.”

O’Leary’s only appearance against Italy was in Rome last year when Ireland won well in the end but he remembers above all their physicality and acknowledges that it’s an area where they will be tested to the full. Nor does he write them off because of the recent poor performances of Italian teams in the Heineken Cup.

“Most of their best are playing in France and England so I wouldn’t say the Italian sides in European competitions reflect the strength of their national side,” he argued. “Look at their games in the autumn, against New Zealand, they competed very well there.”

He is prepared to go along with the general perception that installs France as Six Nations favourites but stresses: “It’s a very even competition. You can be beaten by any side. That’s why it’s such a great competition.”

Likewise, O’Leary insists the thought of back-to-back slams “hasn’t entered our thought process because it’s not something to think about” and he is equally realistic and cautious when discussing his tenure of the number nine jersey.

“You can never rest on your laurels,” he stated. “I’m happy to get the start and it’s up to me to give a decent performance which keeps me in the team. There’s major competition at scrum-half in Ireland and I’ve said it before: it drives me on to improve my own game and to stay at the top and get better.”

Nobody needs reminding how much the Croke Park stadium means to the O’Leary family. Tomás won a minor All-Ireland hurling medal there with Cork but even that pales when compared to his dad Seanie’s four senior titles. So going back there again this week sits very nicely with the Irish number nine.

“With the tradition of it and my GAA background, it’s special to be playing there,” he smiles.

“This will be the last Six Nations played at Croke Park so I’m just going to enjoy every minute of playing there.”