A sacked Irish coach, an in-form Irish number 10 and the big hitters return for Wales and Italy this weekend.
Forget Declan Kidney, one Irish coach has lost his job
While all the recent talk has been about an Irish head coach being relieved of his duties, today that came to pass. However it isn’t Declan Kidney (yet) but Michael Bradley that was given his p45.
The Edinburgh coach knew that his time was up at the end of the season after the Scottish club announced last month that they would not be renewing the former Connacht coach’s contract, but they have decided to remove him from his post early, along with assistant Neil Back.
Expectations were high after last season’s semi-final appearance in the Heineken Cup, though their league form was patchy to say the least. This term that trend has worsened, with Edinburgh losing all six pool games in Europe and falling to 10th position in the Rabo after a seven game losing streak.
“We feel this move is necessary to give a fresh impetus to the squad going into the remainder of the season,” a statement from the club read.
“Our search for a new coaching team for Edinburgh Rugby continues, with a view to getting the club back on a winning track.”
Scotland assistant coaches Stevie Scott and Duncan Hodge have been placed in interim charge of the Edinburgh side.
Irish out-half in form
With Jonathan Sexton’s injury, Ronan O’Gara’s demotion (for now) and Paddy Jackson’s jitters from the kicking tee, the current out-half position seems to be a poisoned chalice. And the most impressive Irish number 10 at the weekend was someone who has been consistent all season domestically and in the Heineken Cup, but is unlikely to get a look-in for the foreseeable future.
Future Irish number 10?
Exeter out-half Gareth Steenson was in stellar form as the Chiefs beat table-toppers Harlequins for the second time this season, kicking 17 points in a 27-16 victory at The Stoop.
Declan Kidney has left the door open because of injury and form issues, but the former underage international is arguably playing better than anyone else in the pivotal position.
As we said, we don’t expect a call-up for the Ulster man, but we could do a lot worse.
Warburton and Parisse back
Wales and Italy welcome back their captains to the fold this weekend, though Welsh interim manager Rob Howley has decided not to give Sam Warburton back the skipper’s armband.
Jacques Brunel will have the inspirational number 8 available to him for Sunday’s match in Twickenham after his 30 day suspension was reduced by 10 days, freeing him to face the English on their own turf.
Parisse had been sent off for Stade Francais for swearing at a referee and was expected to miss the final three games, but that reduction allows him to participate this weekend, and unfortunately for us, against Ireland the following weekend.
Warburton has been named ahead of the highly rated Justin Tipuric despite his dip in form, but previous captain Ryan Jones hangs onto the armband. The 22 year-old has led his country on 20 occasions, but given the impressive form of Tipuric he’ll be thankful just to be back in the side.
“Ryan is the best captain I’ve played under, so I have no qualms with him leading the side. He has a wealth of experience and tactically he’s very clued in,” he diplomatically told the press.
The odds on Warburton leading the Lions seem to be growing by the day, from a dead-cert to merely a ‘possibility’ at this stage.
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