Dropping Jonathan Sexton seems like a backward step, but Ireland should still have enough to prevail against Scotland, writes Conor Ward.
It has now become the norm for the selection debate at out-half to become the main talking point in advance of big international games – and as with many things, the issue gets framed in very blunt and simple terms. It’s seen as weighing up the benefits of “Sexton’s running game” and “O’Gara’s kicking game” – as if to suggest that the former is a complete novice at kicking and the latter is clueless as to any form of running rugby.
We don’t absolutely need O’Gara to start in order to play a smarter game, Sexton can adjust and adapt, as he has done many times for Leinster.
It’s not quite that simple, but the number ten is still the pivotal position on any rugby union team-sheet, and it provides a signal to the mindset and game plan that the coach is looking to employ. In my last outing here (after the loss to the French), I expressed the view that there is not a lot wrong with the approach taken in that match, despite the loss. I still stand by that view, but I’ve now been proven wide of the mark in my prediction that Kidney would stick with Sexton for the next match.
So is Kidney being regressive in going back to the skills set of O’Gara? Is he perhaps listening to the critics too much – those that pointed to the absence of a smart kicking game whereby his side could look to secure territory first and foremost before launching more ambitious attacking plays? While I’ve always defended O’Gara as a quality international out-half (his scoring record alone affirms that), I find it hard to agree with the selection in this particular instance. We don’t absolutely need O’Gara to start in order to play a smarter game, Sexton can adjust and adapt, as he has done many times for Leinster. He just needs to tweak things that little bit.
Dropping Sexton a backward step on two counts
By dropping Sexton, Ireland could actually lose out on two counts – the threat he poses in possession (largely through his danger on the loop, though that was admittedly overused the last day), as well as having the weapon of O’Gara in reserve to come on and close out the game in the last 15 minutes. Kidney, of course, is hoping that the experience of the 106-cap Corkman will reap the rewards from the start, and hopefully he will be proved justified in this, but I do feel it’s a shame he is not backing Sexton’s talents more this time, especially considering that we started off so well against Les Blues.
Jonathan Sexton should have been given the chance to play a more varied gameplan
Having Tommy Bowe back in the side is a huge plus, however, as his scoring and line-breaking prowess has been missed in the backline. Asking him to return to top form is a big ask, but as one of our most consistent and potent performers (rather like Natalie Portman on the red carpet), his selection is well justified. The downside is that Fergus McFadden drops out of the squad altogether, and again I feel he would have been a more positive choice on the bench than Paddy Wallace. Maybe Kidney is seeing something we’re not (after all, we’re only judging by the evidence of match-days), but this leaves us without a really threatening wide man to spring from the bench.
Although he has not enjoyed a great season, Eoin Reddan’s selection at scrum-half in place of the injured Tomas O’Leary should not hurt Ireland’s cause, and Kidney will be looking for him to provide a quicker service to O’Gara than Sexton has enjoyed over the first two games.
Scotland to let ‘killer bees’ loose on Ireland
We can expect Scotland to be as competitive as ever in the physical stakes, and they will make it a long afternoon up front. The most intriguing and closely balanced match-up should take place in the back-row. The Irish trio of O’Brien-Wallace-Heaslip gets the nod again after a heartening display two weeks ago, but Stephen Ferris has unfortunately not made it back in time. They take on Scotland’s “Killer B’s” of Kelly Brown, John Barclay and Johnnie Beattie, a formidable unit known for their exploits in the collision. Still, the Irish have a bit more pace here than their Scottish brethren which should provide a crucial edge.
Johnnie Beattie, John Barclay and Kelly Brown make up a formidable Scottish back row unit
Talented youngster Ruaridh Jackson comes in for Dan Parks at out-half for his first international start, so our boys will want to “welcome him to the fray” (i.e. smash him early and often). Considering how lethargic and unimaginative the Scots were in their last outing against Wales, it seems a big ask for Jackson to provide the spark to turn fortunes around. However he fares, the Scottish could hardly do worse than that abysmal rudderless display, and Andy Robinson (given the way he likes to exude this superior aura which just comes across as plain weird) will not accept anything less than major improvement.
Sunday doesn’t suit me (or Euan Murray), but Ireland should still prevail
On balance though, and despite being humbled on home soil last year, I think we’ll come out on top of a close game this Sunday (don’t like the Sunday fixtures, curtails the “social” aspect), with the back-row and our more talented wide backs making the ultimate difference.
Of course the destination of the championship is now very much out of Irish hands, and Saturday’s crunch tie between England and France at Twickenham is being touted as a potential decider. The French, with the depth of quality they have in their squad, are bound to up their game, but my fears about the English coming good this year are really starting to ring true. Some have dismissed their drubbing of Italy (on the basis that it was “only Italy”), but to me that’s unfair, conveniently ignoring our narrow escape in Rome.
We can expect Scotland to be as competitive as ever in the physical stakes, and they will make it a long afternoon up front.
England are not flattering to deceive. They are a team very much on the rise again and full of confidence, having uncovered several young stars, most tellingly a clever and creative half-back pairing, backed up by the exploits of man-of-the-moment (and wannabe Hollywood stuntman) Chris Ashton. It will be as keenly contested as ever, but I do fancy England to come out on top.
It may well be left to our boys to spoil their party at Lansdowne Road – but, as Michael Martin and the lads say on the campaign trail, that’s another day’s work.
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