February 17, 2011
By Staff Reporter
Initially a fixture schedule, which includes highly demanding away games against both France and England, should militate against Ireland being in the running for honors, while recent form in the autumn internationals against New Zealand and Australia was underwhelming.
Not that defeat against an all-conquering New Zealand was anything to be ashamed about, it was just that the Irish failed to put up the sort of resistance shown by reigning Six Nations champions Wales, as well as England and significantly Scotland who appear to on the up again following several years in the doldrums.
However, the performance against a decidedly modest Australia team was even more worrying. Ireland were either indecisive or predictable depending on the moment, and while emerging players such as Denis Leamy and Andrew Trimble caught the eye, more established players were unconvincing.
The likes of Ronan O’Gara, Geordan Murphy, Peter Stringer, John Hayes and Donncha O’Callaghan were major disappointments just when their influence was sorely needed in the absence through injury of Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Connell.
O’Sullivan made the point that he wanted a more daring approach from the side, but where once that sort of encouragement might have ignited the talented Murphy, it appeared to inhibit him.
At least, there is evidence that Gordon D’Arcy, who has had to contend with injuries, is coming back to peak form, while O’Sullivan might look to sharpen his cutting edge by including youngsters Tommy Bowe, Rob Kearney or Trimble at some stage during the championship.
Crucially, the replacement for the out-of-form O’Gara is 34-year-old David Humphreys, while there are no international class substitutes for either Stringer or Hayes at the moment. In the absence of the injured Frankie Sheahan, Jerry Flannery has emerged and could take over at hooker from Shane Byrne when the championship kicks off at Lansdowne Road against Italy on 4 February.
O’Sullivan persisted with Simon Easterby, Jonny O’Connor and Leamy as his first choice back row in the autumn amid clamor for the reinstatement of Anthony Foley, while David Wallace – to much surprise – remains out in the cold.
The coach has options in certain positions, but little flexibility in others, and it seems now that if Ireland can come up with home wins against Italy, Wales and Scotland, that will be a satisfactory return.