O'Sullivan: World Cup playing field not level

Eddie O’Sullivan believes the timing of the World Cup gives the southern hemisphere nations an advantage.

Teams from the RBS 6 Nations have endured a slow start to the tournament with Ireland, who struggled to see off Namibia 32-17, the most disappointing.

In contrast New Zealand, Australia and South Africa have raced out of the blocks and O’Sullivan insists the Tri-Nations gives the trio the ideal World Cup preparation.

He said: “The Six Nations sides have hardly played since March whereas all of the southern hemisphere teams have played throughout the summer.

“They have had a summer of rugby we haven’t had and we’ve had to put all our eggs in one basket preparing for the World Cup.

“If we were to play games during the summer in preparation for a World Cup that’s fine, but the problem is that by May or April the players are running on empty.

“You just can’t kick on during a summer. The northern hemisphere sides all took the same route here by resting players during the summer tours.

“We’ve all struggled out of the blocks with maybe Scotland the one exception.

“England, Italy, Wales and ourselves have had a tough time so far.

“But New Zealand, Australia and South Africa have started well after come off the back of their Tri-Nations.”

Ireland’s next World Cup assignment is Saturday’s clash with Georgia, who went down fighting 33-3 against Argentina on Tuesday night.

After producing a desperate display against Namibia, O’Sullivan has given the same team a chance to redeem themselves against a team that faces a punishing schedule of two games in five days.

Ireland’s fixtures have fallen far more kindly than Georgia’s and O’Sullivan hopes the gentler programme will help his side begin firing in time for the crucial showdown against France on September 21.

He said: “We’re quite lucky because in between games we have six days, six days and then nine days.

“That’s an advantage in trying to give the same team a run. Six days is a turnaround we do in the Six Nations, so it’s possible.

“My strategy was had things gone well on Saturday night, then that would have given me room to manoeuvre in selection.

“I don’t think it goes well all the time – even the last world champions England had their blips along the way, but they got it right in the end.”