O'Sullivan keeps faith despite poor form

Eddie O’Sullivan today claimed his self-belief remains intact as he prepares for what is potentially the decisive match of his Ireland reign.

Critics have declared a heavy defeat by France in tomorrow’s RBS 6 Nations clash, put in the context of the last six months, would render O’Sullivan’s position untenable.

Seven disappointing Test displays of varying degrees of ineptitude dating back to August’s World Cup warm-up games have thrust Ireland’s coach into the firing line

And the nation’s nightmarish record in Paris – they have prevailed just once in the French capital since 1972 – suggests the speculation over his future will only intensify after tomorrow.

But O’Sullivan has confronted the most challenging period of his six-year tenure steeled by the conviction that he can guide Ireland out of their slump.

“My self-belief hasn’t wavered. Of course when things don’t go well you want to address and fix them. That’s the job,” he said.

“As a coach you take responsibility for fixing things.

“It’s the nature of the beast that when things are going wrong you want to apply yourself even more to correct them.

“If you don’t have that sense of determination and belief then you won’t last very long in this business.

“It’s important to be true to yourself, stick to the job and do what you know you’ve always done well.

“There are no guarantees in this business and that’s the formula you have to work under.”

O’Sullivan has been subjected to a barrage of criticism during Ireland’s descent from third in the official IRB rankings to a team struggling to shake off the baggage of an abysmal World Cup.

But the 49-year-old accepts the vitriol directed towards him comes with the territory.

“You always get criticised in this job. I don’t know any Test coach who hasn’t been criticised,” he said.

“Obviously you get more criticism when things are going well, but even when things are going well you get criticised. That’s the nature of the business.

“The important thing is to keep on doing the job you’re doing – trust your instincts, work ethic and the belief you have in yourself and the players around you.

“We’re all human and no-one likes to be criticised, but it’s just part of the job.

“The most important thing is to not allow it to affect the way you do your job.”

O’Sullivan has cut an increasingly haunted figure during recent media obligations as the incessant speculation over his position inevitably takes its toll.

An impressive display against France would ease the pressure significantly, however, with an unlikely victory putting them in the driving seat for the Six Nations title.

New France boss Marc Lievremont has made four changes to the pack that helped Les Bleus to a 27-6 victory over Scotland with Dimitri Szarzewski, Nicolas Mas, Arnaud Mela and Julien Bonnaire starting.

Lievremont has also chosen the unfancied David Skrela ahead of Francois Trinh-Duc at fly-half, but O’Sullivan insists France have not been weakened by their coach’s tinkering.

“France have a strong squad so it doesn’t really make difference what team they pick,” he said.

“The changes won’t alter the way they want to play the game and won’t affect their confidence.

“The danger for us is to read too much into what France are doing. We need to focus on our own team and game instead.

“I’m sure there’s a logic to what France have done but we shouldn’t delve too far into trying to understand it. We need to play what’s in front of us.”