Sunday 23 March 2014

Building on Success

Irish rugby is in a fantastic place right now. Three provinces are in the Heineken Cup quarter finals, the same three are the top 3 in the Pro12 league, where the benefits of Heineken Cup rugby are helping Connacht push for 6th place and a place in next season's version. This doesn't even reflect the player production that each province are now producing, with a larger number of quality players coming through each academy than ever before. Ireland punches well above it's weight in the rugby world considering how small the sport in in an even smaller country.

And I haven't even mentioned the national team yet. The recent 6 Nations win was in my mind down to John Plumtree's work with the Irish forwards, Joe's tactical nous and a whole heap of luck. There's no question that Ireland are in good hands with Plumtree and Schmidt, but as Joe mentioned during the week, only picking 18 players through five games is a luxury he's unlikely to have again, which is why the strengthen of the Irish squad is one major point he talked about pre 6 Nations.

There are between 10 and 13 games between now and the World Cup, and given the need for momentum going into a championship, there isn't much time for experimentation. That's why this summer's tour is so important. There is a need to build on the momentum that the 6 Nations win brings, especially as Argentina are potential RWC quarterfinalist opposition for Ireland. That said, there are a number of opportunities to rest key players.

A number of senior players need to be rested to reach the World Cup in top form, some fringe players need opportunities, and some new leaders need to be given a chance to step up. Others should be rested to see what an alternative would be like in the event that the incumbent gets injured.

Without further ado, here is my 32 man Irish squad for the two test Argentina tour that accomplishes those goals while still being strong enough to win.

Fullback:
Rested: Rob Kearney.
Kearney is one of those virtually unchallenged for his jersey. That's why I think it could be prudent to rest him, and have a look at the next two challengers in line: Robbie Henshaw and Felix Jones.

Wingers:
No one is rested here. I count 8 options for Schmidt on the wings which means that the competition is fierce and being "rested" could result in a winger losing their place in the squad. The five I've gone for in this squad also give options for other positions in the backline.
In: Andrew Trimble, Dave Kearney, Tommy Bowe, Luke Fitzgerald, Simon Zebo.

Centres:
The start of life without O'Driscoll. I've already chosen Fitzgerald and Henshaw in the squad, and I think it might be best to save D'Arcy so he can last. I'm also going to give Luke Marshall another summer off due to his latest head knock, but he might be one to make the plane anyway. I don't think Stuart Olding will be back in time. This leaves Darren Cave and Fergus McFadden covering the centre positions.

Outhalf:
If Sexton doesn't get the summer off after the Top 14 campaign then something is wrong. This tour is tailor-made for resting him and giving the back up options some valuable gametime and international experience. Due to the lack of centres, I'm bringing three options, two of which can also play 12.
In: Paddy Jackson, Ian Madigan, JJ Hanrahan.

Scrumhalf:
Eoin Reddan and Isaac Boss are both over 33. Kieran Marmion has also been banging louder and louder on the door with each passing game. Conor Murray will travel, and I expect his game to rise again and take up a leadership role with Sexton, D'Arcy and Kearney missing from the touring squad. I suspect only one of Boss and Reddan will travel, if at all, as both know Schmidt's gameplan inside out and will be key in getting Marmion and Murray further up to speed with Joe's ways.
In: Murray, Marmion, Boss.

Loosehead:
Cian Healy is only 25. Remember that, and both he and Jack McGrath are better when the other is in the 23. Both travel and the fight is between James Cronin and Dave Kilcoyne for the third and last loosehead prop spot on the plane. No resting needed here.
In: Healy, McGrath, Kilcoyne.

Hooker:
While Healy is 25 and doesn't need a rest, the same cannot be said or Rory Best. Besides, In Richardt Strauss there is a viable alternative that will not reduce Ireland's competitiveness in the front row. Sean Cronin is also improving, and the last slot will go to Mike Sherry if he recovers from injury in time.
In: Strauss, Cronin, Sherry.

Tighthead:
I find myself calling for Mike Ross to be rested every summer, but this summer it is absolutely crucial. What a scrummaging education Martin Moore could get down in Argentina, while also giving gametime to Declan Fitzpatrick would be hugely beneficial to Ireland. Ross has been going non stop for nearly two years now, and despite his impressive 6 Nations, none of us what him to over do it.
In: Moore, Fitzpatrick.

Locks:
One thing that struck me when Ireland played Scotland was how little the loss of Paul O'Connell effected them. He is still an unbelievably inspirational figure, and walks into the Irish team, but Devin Toner and Dan Tuohy stood up well to the challenge. An overdue summer off would be good for the big man to recharge his batteries for the World Cup, while Toner and Tuohy will be joined by Donnacha Ryan and Iain Henderson as the locks for the tour. It's great to see such strength in depth that Mike McCarthy wouldn't even make that group.

Openside Flankers:
Sean O'Brien is injured, and I see absolutely no point in rushing him back for the tour, let him have a break and then give him the pre season to get himself right. This leaves Chris Henry continuing his great form in a green jersey, ably assisted by both Tommy O'Donnell and Jordi Murphy.

Blindside/ No.8.
Question: Who plays for Ireland at 8 when Jamie Heaslip is injured? Answer: It's never come up before. In the freakish event that it does happen in the next 18 months, it would be good for next in line to be given some gametime there. That's why I'd leave Heaslip at home, and give the 8 jersey and tour captaincy to Peter O'Mahony. Like Murray, O'Mahony would relish the leadership duties and has done well with the Munster captaincy this season. He's joined by Robin Copeland and Rhys Ruddock covering blindside and 8.
In: O'Mahony, Copeland, Ruddock

Squad in Full:
Felix Jones, Robbie Henshaw, Andrew Trimble, David Kearney, Simon Zebo, Tommy Bowe, Luke Fitzgerald. Fergus McFadden, Darren Cave, JJ Hanrahan, Ian Madigan, Paddy Jackson, Kieran Marmion, Isaac Boss, Conor Murray, Cian Healy, Jack McGrath, Dave Kilcoyne, Richardt Strauss, Sean Cronin, Mike Sherry, Martin Moore, Declan Fitzpatrick, Dan Tuohy, Devin Toner, Donnacha Ryan, Iain Henderson, Rhys Ruddock, Robin Copeland, Tommy O'Donnell, Chris Henry, Jordi Murphy, Peter O'Mahony (c)

Saturday 15 March 2014

How do you explain Brian O'Driscoll?

One of my American friends is getting into rugby, and given the timing I thought, how can you explain Brian O'Driscoll to someone unfamiliar to rugby? It occurs to me that current Irish school children may not even be aware of the impact that this one man has had on this beautiful game. O'Driscoll was the first Irish rugby superstar, helped by the advent of professionalism, and through his career, the landscape of rugby in Ireland has skyrocketed. Irish rugby was in a bad place in the 1990's, results were poor and the level of interest was confined to televised 6 Nations games, but three things changed all that. Professionalism was introduced in 1995, coupled with the Heineken Cup, allowing the best club and provincial teams to play each other more often, and the start of Brian O'Driscoll's career.

The Prodigy Years

Despite being the reserve scrumhalf in the all conquering Blackrock college team of 1996, O'Driscoll was brought into the Irish set up quickly, and at the age of 19, made his debut for Ireland before he'd featured for his home province. This is an extremely rare occurrence, almost unheard of actually, with only Michael Bent achieving something similar in bizarre circumstances in 2012. Unlike Bent, O'Driscoll's class was apparent from the start, with teammates saying "We all knew there was something special about the guy and he was going to kick on. We all knew he had the X-Factor as they say now" from an early age.

O'Driscoll though, took it in his stride and in 2000 in Paris, he announced himself to Europe. Ireland hadn't won a rugby game in France in 28 years, and this French team had been to the World Cup semi final a year previously. Not much was expected of Ireland, but for those who don't already know what happened, I'll let the video tell the story.


O'Driscoll was about to lead a crop of talented youngsters, the likes of which Irish rugby had never seen before, through the golden generation. The wider world, and the southern hemisphere were announced to his attacking brilliance on the 2001 Lions tour to Australia.


Team Player

What makes Brian O'Driscoll different to all other outstanding players in any sport is his determination. His defensive play is the strength of his game, and his intelligence and knowledge of the game keep him ahead of everyone in attack. When someone as colossal as Paul O'Connell says about O'Driscoll, that he'd be the first person he'd want in the trenches beside him, you know it means something. O'Driscoll is never one to shirk a challenge, and always put his body on the line for Leinster and Ireland. He lead that generation up and made them believe that no longer were Ireland there just to make up numbers, but that they were good enough to win silverware.

It may have taken a long time, but in 2004, Ireland won their first Triple Crown in 19 years. That wasn't enough for O'Driscoll, as this was achieved again in 2006, and a third time in 2007. In 2007 though, there was a feeling of regret, because none of these Triple Crowns brought with it a 6 Nations title. But this was to come later. The Irish people were slowing being brought into the culture of rugby.

Genius

It's amazing to think that he is as good as he is, even though his eyesight is as bad as it is. Because his vision to see things that others don't is out of this world. Perhaps that would explain why some of these pieces of brilliance have happened.

Trophies

By 2009, the whole country was on the edge of their seats. Playing Wales in the deciding game of the 6 Nations had grown men crying, and non sporty women screaming. BOD was at the peak of his powers. 4 tries in the tournament; a combination of brilliant attacking running lines, defensive awareness and digging in the trenches, O'Driscoll inspired Ireland to the 6 Nations title and their first Grand Slam for 62 years.

A first Heineken Cup followed that year, and awards reigned down on Ireland's favourite son. The IRB award for player of the decade followed, giving you a hint at how highly he was regarded in the rugby world.

Still Got It

Despite claims that he's "past it" since 2009, O'Driscoll continued winning trophies, with two more Heineken Cups to follow in 2011 and 2012, while still producing the same magic that lit up our screens more than a decade ago. It takes a special kind of player to maintain the level of consistency required to reach 100 caps, and last weekend, Brian O'Driscoll broke the world record for the number of international rugby matches played in, at 140. This Saturday v France, will be his 141st and final appearance on the international stage.

Brian O'Driscoll: Finishing his career with an Irish record 46 tries and a world record 141 appearances.



The epitome of a Lion

It's a huge achievement to become a British and Irish Lion. To be considered one of the best in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales is one of the top honours for a rugby player from those countries. A bigger achievement to do it twice. O'Driscoll is one of a very selective few who went on four tours - 2001, 2005, 2009 and 2013. Not only that, but he was selected as captain on the ill fated tour to New Zealand in 2005.

In each tour, you can get a glimpse of the character and talent of O'Driscoll. You've seen the wonderous try against Australia in 2001, but in 2009 he showed his toughness with a huge hit on the massive Danie Roussouw (below).



Add to that, the reaction of the public in 2005, when Tana Umaga and Kevin Mealamu spear tackled him in the first minute of the first test, breaking his collarbone tells you a lot about how he is viewed in the public. Perhaps more enlightening was the reaction to seeing him dropped from the deciding test in 2013.

Public Perception

Despite a few dodgy haircuts throughout the years, O'Driscoll is firmly held in a positive light throughout the world. His approachability, and humour paint him as a likable guy even without the strings of fame that come with dragging Irish rugby out of the doldrums.



Not only that, but his charity work sets him apart as a stand up guy, and when children like this say nice things about you then...



I guess there is nothing more to say than: Thank you Brian