O'Sullivan spoiled for choice as O'Gara returns

Ireland fly-half Ronan O’Gara has been named in the 22-man squad for Ireland’s second RBS 6 Nations clash against Italy on Saturday, leaving last weekend’s points hero David Humphreys unsure of his place.

Humphreys was recalled to the fly-half role for the match against Scotland when Lion O’Gara withdrew because of an ankle injury sustained in the Celtic League final and the veteran turned back the clock in sensational fashion, scoring all but 10 of his side’s points in a 36-6 romp.

Coach Eddie O’Sullivan, who plans to name his starting 15 on Wednesday, is now facing a selection dilemma.

“We’ve a great luxury at the moment to have two great fly-halves in Ronan O’Gara and David Humphreys,” said O’Sullivan.

The form of the 31-year-old Humphreys, who ran the show at Murrayfield in addition to scoring a try and eight goals, ought to ensure he starts in Rome regardless of the fitness of O’Gara, but the modest Ulsterman is not so sure.

“I honestly haven’t considered that,” he said. “He’s been the man in possession, he’s been playing well. I’m just delighted that I’ve put in a performance that’s compared to some of his.”

Twenty-five-year-old O’Gara, who has played a prominent role in Munster’s successful season so far, has gradually nudged ahead of his rival and made a huge contribution to Ireland’s victories over Australia and Argentina in the autumn internationals, kicking 10 out of 10 goals in those two games to take his points tally to 273 in just 27 games.

But Humphreys, who took over from the great Jackie Kyle as Ireland’s most capped outside-half when he won his 48th cap at Murrayfield, showed he can still perform at the highest level by producing a consummate display against the Scots.

His 26-point haul, which included eight goals from nine attempts, took him to within four of O’Gara’s Irish match record, set against Italy three years ago.

“Thankfully a few went over,” he said. “But the game was won by the pack, it always is at this level. The front five were outstanding and it made it easy for the backs.

“I was just delighted that we won, that was the main thing. We were under a lot of pressure going into the game because we hadn’t won there for a while.

“It was my third start there and the first time I’ve won, so it’s been a long time coming.”

The Irish, whose solitary Grand Slam was achieved 55 years ago, went into the tournament as third favourites but their performance in Edinburgh, where they had not won for 18 years, suggests they pose the biggest threat to England.

Both England and France have to visit Lansdowne Road and the March 30 clash with Clive Woodward’s men is looking increasingly like a potential championship decider, although Humphreys insists that Sunday’s emphatic win was not meant as a warning to England.

“No, it was a message more for ourselves,” he said. “We’ve had some difficult times up there. It’s been 18 years since we last won and we believed we were a better team than that. We went some way towards proving that.”

Italy’s surprise win over Wales has added a new edge to Saturday’s tussle at the Stadio Flaminio, where Ireland enjoyed a 41-22 success two years ago.

“It certainly won’t be easy,” added Humphreys. “But we believe, if we play to our potential, we can match most teams at the minute.”

Ireland have the backs to match any team in the competition but O’Sullivan knows his team will first have to overcome a tough physical battle by the Italians.

“I knew they had the potential to cause major problems for any team in the Six Nations,” he said.

“They’re a very physical team with a very strong pack of forwards and very smart half-backs and that combination is very hard to play against.

“They were certainly up for the game against Wales and, let me tell you, after that result, they’re going to be up for it against us.”

Rob Henderson has stepped back up to the senior squad after Shane Horgan suffered a hamstring injury against Scotland.

Munster’s John Kelly has joined the squad as a 23rd man, covering for full-back Girvan Dempsey who will not train until at least Wednesday after picking up a slight groin strain at Murrayfield.