O’Gara: This time, desire is driven by us

RONAN O’GARA has staked his claim to the starting fly-half berth by claiming Ireland’s number 10 jersey is up for grabs at the Rugby World Cup.

While Ireland’s warm-up Test schedule last month did not go according to plan, with four defeats out of four, 34-year-old O’Gara continued the good form that has seen him vie with Jonny Sexton in the selection stakes throughout last season’s Six Nations.

It all makes for an interesting dilemma for head coach Declan Kidney with both half-back positions apparently up for grabs and O’Gara, having pronounced himself “very happy” with his August form, relishing the challenge of earning his place in the starting XV to face the United States next Sunday, when Ireland kick off their Pool C campaign in New Plymouth.