The magician of Munster will see if he can work his magic on the Irish national team after weaving his sorcery on the Red Stags for so many years. Astonishingly, when first officially appointed, he was rumoured to be in the stands at Test matches against the All Blacks and the Wallabies.
Like England did, why send your national team into the cauldron of Southern Hemisphere rugby without a first choice coach?
Why sack the old if the new is not ready to immediately take control?
This is an Irish team where, realistically, it is hard to tell what exactly the problem is. Take, by contrast, the All Black team.
They are, and have always been one of the strongest nations. But with these impressive records and remarkable history, they should have won more World Cups, but have not.
Add to this the expectation of a nation, and this is why the All Blacks have a bit of an identity crisis when it comes to whether or not they are the greatest team of modern times.
What of Ireland rugby?
Over twelve months ago, they were entering the World Cup as the dark horses. They had recently toured New Zealand and had given the All Blacks in their prime a close run. They had come close to winning Six Nations and had recorded three Triple crowns in four years (victory over the other home unions).
With Leinster and Munster club rugby being strong, and having world class players such as Brian O’Driscoll, Paul O’Connell and Ronan O’Gara, this was a team that was probably the strongest that the Emerald Isle had ever compiled.
From 2002, when Ireland compiled ten straight victories – their best ever run – this was a team becoming a world power.
This culminated in the year before the World Cup, where the Irish recorded a remarkable triumvirate of victories – over the Wallabies, the Springboks, and then inflicted the heaviest defeat ever on the Pacific Islanders (a team that is the Pacific hybrid of the British Lions).
Despite starting 2007 well, winning all of their Six Nations games except for a narrow three point loss to the French, cracks started to appear. A weaker Ireland team toured Argentina – a mistake to send a depleted team in a World Cup year – and were duly beaten twice.
They then played Scotland in a World Cup warm up.
Scotland, whom Ireland had not lost to since 2001 and had established a seven game winning streak over, were their next foe.
However, this was a powerful looking Scots team, and they over-powered the Irish pack to record a remarkable 31-21 victory. The Irish were then fortuitous to beat the Italians, who again overwhelmed the Irish in the forwards to lose by only three points.
The World Cup was then a disaster.
Realistically, outside of the All Blacks, this was the biggest failure of any team. Ireland struggled past Namibia and Georgia, third tier nations – and both outside the Top 15 of the world.
They were then exposed by the French and Argentineans, both units inflicted heavy defeats on the Irish to send them crashing out of the World Cup.
2008’s Six Nations was not much better, with only wins against Italy and Scotland propping them up to be fourth on the championship table – their worst finish in nearly ten years.
This then resulted in Eddie O’Sullivan falling on his sword, after having his contract extended through to 2012 in the World Cup year, as well as a clause that would have given him the option to take leave as British Lions coach in 2009 (a position that many, two years ago, thought he would be offered).
Enter Declan Kidney.
The just finished Munster coach took the premier Irish domestic team to four Heineken Cup Finals, claiming the Northern domestic championship in 2006 and 2008. He also enjoyed a brief stint with Leinster, and was O’Sullivan’s assistant in 2002 through to 2004. He also has a considerable record with the Irish youth teams – having coached the Ireland Under 19’s to World Cup glory in 1998.
He has taken control of a team that had enjoyed their greatest ever period of success, being ranked as the third strongest nation in world rugby just over two and a half years ago, but is now languishing in eighth position.
Luckily for both Kidney and Ireland, Irish rugby is not weak as some may perceive.
On the back of Munster’s success, both at the HC and against the All Blacks recently, the Irish provinces look as good as they have in recent years.
The problem for Kidney now is that he takes control of the most settled team in world rugby, but with little talent underneath the nation’s elite fifteen.
Even with the IRFU creating the “High performance select group” – which was designed to assist fringe player’s transit into the national team – we do not see world class players entering the fray, with the exception of maybe Stephen Ferris and Luke Fitzgerald.
The 55-0 thrashing of Canada proved little, and despite expectations being typically high, they continue to be unable to defeat the All Blacks. The win against Argentina showed grit and tactical mettle, but Kidney has now teethed and must succeed in the Six Nations.
Ireland’s first match of the Six Nations will be at Croke Park, hosting Les Bleus.
It will be the 100th meeting between these two nations. Ireland won the first clash 19-8 at Dublin and proceeded to win the first six matches between the two sides.
However, the Irish are in the midst of a seven game losing streak against the French, dating back to 2003. If they are to embark on a new path this year, this game will be the indicator.
Dublin Dave
Guest
When you get to my age you expect to see the fortunes of the Irish national side boom and bust with the same inevitability of the international economy. The first Five Nations (as was) season I can remember watching was 1969. That was the start of a good era for Irish rugby and indeed for European rugby in general. Between 1969 and 1974, when they lost to the All Blacks, Ireland lost only one game at home (9-6 to England in 1971) and with modern scoring values, we would have won that one too. In that period we had home draws against New Zealand and South Africa, a string of victories against France (now as rare as hen's teeth) and as for Australia: back then we had a winning record against those guys. In this era too, the Lions went to New Zealand and South Africa and won test series in both places, so it wasn't as if the local competition was poor either. To my young eyes at the time, it seemed we had a right to expect to win when we played at home and only blind referees and dastardly underhand tactics prevented us from winning away more often than not. Never mind any residual bitterness against Tana Umaga and Kevin Mealamu. I'm of the generation that STILL hasn't forgiven Brian Price for what he did 40 years ago this March. Now that's a grudge! Until a generation of excellent players appeared in and around 2000, most of the intervening years were pretty miserable for Irish fans. True there were intermittent bursts of glory like winning the Championship and Triple Crown in 1982 and 1985 but then came the 1990s, the most sustained desperate period of misery it has been possible to endure. I have been fascinated in recent years to see my own son develop a superiority complex which he considered his due having watched the current generation of Irish players put to the sword the likes of Australia, South Africa and France, not to mention England. When a last-minute TMO decision gave France the 2007 Six Nations championship on points difference he burst into tears. The only consolation I could offer him was that with experience, he will become as inured to such inevitable disappointments as his hard bitten old father. All of which is by way of preamble to say that the perennial problem facing Ireland is we just do not have the numbers to deliver sustained excellence in the range of disciplines still needed to populate a 15 man team. Very few Irish teams ever took the field without at least one top-class player. Think back to the likes of Tony Ward in the 1970s or Geoghegan and Matthews in the 1990s. But there would inevitably be weak spots in vital areas of the team that could not be papered over by stronger players elsewhere. This is evident with the current team. Who's the back up number 10? Regardless of how you cut it, if O'Gara gets crocked he will be replaced by somebody who has never started a first line test match at number 10. That's not lack of strength in depth; that's a vacuum. Ditto for the props. The only reason John Hayes is still playing is that we can't afford to let him retire. There's nobody nearly as good as he (and he's not great at many of the functions a prop has to perform) to replace him. It could be argued that professionalism and the reorganisation of the game around the provinces has boosted standards, and it has. But it has also led to imports undermining key local resources. Leinster's first and second choice out halves are respectively Argentinian and New Zealander. Munster's backup for O'Gara is Australian. Only in Ulster is Ian Humphreys (younger brother of David) showing some form at pivot and while Keatley is doing well at Connacht, it would be desperation indeed to spring a young lad from there straight into the 6N team. Scrum half too is a problem. Always has been for Ireland. Name one great, as opposed to merely competent, Irish scrum half. Ever. Can't do it? Neither can I. Closest you can get are Colin Patterson and/or John Robbie from the 1970s/1980s. Neither of whom had a particularly long career. And Robbie NEVER played on a winning Irish team believe it or not. So can Kidney marshall his meagre resources to produce a championship winning team this year? Well, we are probably due a slice of luck but as the sage once said. "The race is not always to swift, neither the battle to the strong...but that's the way to bet!" Put your money on somebody else.
Colin N
Guest
You say that Alan Gaffney will do a great job as the Irish backs coach, but from watching the Leinster backs this season, apart from the odd game, they have been pretty dire (under Gaffney's tuition). They were also awful last night against Cardiff, with some very dubious refereeing decisions going their way and scoring no tries and didn't look like doing so, apart from a couple of cohesive attacks. He also didn't do the greatest jobs at Saracens either. Last season, much like this, was a bit stop start, ending in a disappointing league position, but with the consolation of two semi-final cup appearances. With the talent available, similar to Sale Sharks, you would probably have expected more. Regarding Ireland, they have plenty of depth in the backs, apart from the two key positions at scrum-half and at fly-half. I'm a big fan of Reddan, but he has been off form this season Stringer is again not playing well and behind the other potential scrum-half, O'leary, who I am yet to be convinced by. At fly-half, Ireland rely heavily on O'Gara and players like Humphreys and Sexton lack experience and consistancy at club level, never mind doing it consistantly at international level. The other option I can think of is Keatley but although he does the business Connacht, he doesn't seem good enough for the international arena. I bet they now wish they could have convinced Geraghty to play for fly-half for Ireland. I agree with Pothale about Ferris as he looks an excellent player. Whether he will be in the Lions squad, I am not so sure, but his performances this season have been awesome.
Derm
Roar Guru
It's not really a debate about the backrow and 10. Debate is about the front row and 10. That's where the real decline and weakness is.
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
gentlemen, congrats on giving us SH'ers a great assessment of Irish rugby. It is interesting that there is a debate, at all, about the Irish backrow and 10 given the tradition they have of producing such good players in both positions. Sure the game has changed from the days of Campbell at 10, but they always played a harrying game with their loose forwards. lets hope that Kidney and Gaffney can bring the Irish on.
Derm
Roar Guru
Ok - have to contribute to this. Along with Wallace, Ferris, you also have Denis Leamy as part of a very mobile back-row unit. Leamy and Wallace are both powerful and mobile players, scoring critical tries for club and country in recent years. Ferris, in my view, is going to be even better than either of them. Playing for Ulster, he is the standout No 6 in the NH at the moment and I think will be one of the first names on the Lions teamsheet. Lacking quality depth beneath the elite fiften? Hmm - wouldn't agree with that. 9 - Stringer/O'Leary/Reddan 10 - O'Gara/Humphreys/Sexton - weakest point 11/12/13/14/15 perm from: O'Driscoll/Fitzgerald/Wallace/Earls/Kearney/Dempsey/Horgan/Bowe/Murphy with Cave/ Johne Murphy/Hurley also coming through strongly in the As. Along with back-rowers above you have O'Kelly/O'Callaghan/O'Connell/Toner/Ryan/Heaslip/Quinlan. Best and Flannery cover the no 2 shirt well. The key point by Tricky Trindall about props is the spot on one. There's people like Healy and Buckley supporting H & H but nothing to scare the opposition. Ireland is poor at turning out good props and is their weakest point. 1, 3 and 10 are the weakest points for depth. Munster have faltered a bit this evening though played strongly last night to beat Ospreys and take them out of top spot in Magners. Am off now to watch Fitzgerald, Kearney & Co put the Cardiff Blues to bed, hopefuly nab a bonus point and get a few bevs in. :)
James Mortimer
Guest
Very good point TT, it was somewhat remiss of me not to give credit to Gaffers. Oh how Sarries must have shaked their head after losing him, and replacing him with Eddie Jones of all people. But also the remarks about the pack are true, and the massive danger beacon for the Irish. While you remark that the Irish backline and attacking potency will be primed for their first challenge against the French, I personally think the Les Bleus have the strongest pack in Europe, and no doubt they will target the Irish eight. I do recall the Irish having some good attacking moments against the AB's - but equally remember the roving flankers of New Zealand, combined with their canny back, causing huge disruptions at the Irish ruck. I think this was not only the issue of the Irish pack itself, but also in not having any support for David Wallace, who is a superb player. But Gaff and Kidders will need to impose control on the team for there to be success. Against the puma's they played solid, almost mistake free grinding rugby. But as they could not do this against the AB's, they very quickly lost their structure. This I feel, will be where it will be won or lost for the emerald lads.
Tricky Trindall
Guest
James, you seem to be forgetting who will REALLY be helping Ireland advance up the World Rugby rankings and give the 6 Nations a shout this year - Alan Gaffney. Alan is an excellent coach, and the success of Munster rugby was built on the loveable myrtle-green shoulders of Gaffney. Before Gaffney came along, Munster had talent, but Gaffney built this talent and moulded it into a strong, skillful team, and helped attract numerous overseas talents, such as Christian Cullen. Gaffney is adored in Munster by all. Alan will be in charge of the Ireland backiline this year and expect them to be a lot brighter, faster and formidable than Irish backilines of previous years. His experience with Randwick and NSW will mean the Irish backline taking on the French in a few short weeks will for once be a really good attacking force, as well as a great defensive unit. Fitgerald in particular at 12 is an outstanding player. After Alan's stint with Munster he then was coaxed into coaching the Aussie backiine for one brief year before Eddie got the punt, and got out when Knuckles took over. Since then, he transformed Saracens from an average but cashed up English premiership club to the semi-finals of the Guinness Premiership, before Eddie came back and took the keys and they returned to mediocrity. James you made the good point of Ireland lacking any quality depth, and this is true, especially in the forwards. For the past 4 years Ireland have trotted out the same average props - Hayes and Horan - and every year they have been belted by the strong English and French packs. About the only time these 2 don't get shoved around is when they are playing Australia! Kidney needs to find some strong foundations in the pack before Ireland can really begin to prosper. Not only is their front row weak, they lack dynamic back-rowers, and would kill for the likes of a Ryan Jones to be Irish. As shown against the AB's on the Spring tour this year, whenever Ireland were in a strong attacking position their backs looked dangerous. And this is a good sign for Irish rugby. However you need good ball-running forwards to keep the penetration of the Irish backs going, and on too many occassions in that match the likes of O'Callahaghan and Horan were getting in the way of the backs and throwing passes over the sideline or dropping regulation passes in strong attacking positions. Kidney has a job in his hands in making the Irish pack competitive. But Gaffney will have the backs on song if the forwards can do the ground work.