Autumn Cheer
28/11/06 23:28 Filed in: Sport
The Irish
rugby team had an excellent Autumn series, winning
all three matches (versus South Africa, Australia and
the Pacific Islands), and enhancing their reputation
in the eyes of the world. It has been said more often
than once that Ireland are now the best team in
Europe and probably second best in the world. It's a
shame that the Pacific Islands match didn't count
towards world ranking points, as the 61-17 demolition
of the Islanders would have cemented Ireland's third
place in the rankings, and might even have seen them
come close to the second-placed French. Wins for
Australia and South Africa saw them climb back above
Ireland, who had overtaken them both a week ago.
Aside from the three wins, there was more to cheer. The squad came through relatively unscathed, (save Marcus Horan's leg injury, which will keep him out of the game until the new year; and Andrew Trimble's hamstring, which shouldn't cause too much worry.) We also got to see a few new players get their chance at International level, particularly in positions that have had long-term incumbents, such as half-back and prop. Some of the old guard showed that they too were willing to fight for a seat on the plane to Paris next Autumn, most notably Denis Hickie, who had an excellent game against Australia.
In the forwards, we now have options in the front row (assuming Marcus Horan can recover completely from his injury in time for the Six Nations). We still have to pray for the good health of John Hayes, who had a superb series and showed once again just how valuable he is to the Irish set-up. When it comes to line-out time, the glory goes to the lads in the air, but they get there by being lifted by someone, and "The Bull" has proven over a long time that he is one of the best in the business at hoisting. The second-row picks itself, but I would have liked to have seen another younger player get a chance during the series. Malcolm O'Kelly is a good impact player, and a great man to have on the bench who can make an impression in the last 20 minutes of a match, but we need more solid cover should anything happen (God forbid) to POC or DOC. The back row - well what can I say? Denis Leamy is making the Number 8 jersey his own, and is now Ireland's most influential forward after Paul O'Connell. David Wallace is first-choice openside now, but there are options there should we need them. Neil Best had a barnstormer of a series, and should be the first choice for the No 6 shirt for the 6 Nations.
We got to see two new half-backs, both of whom acquitted themselves well, especially Paddy Wallace at out-half against the Pacific Islands. It would be nice to see him get more time in the 10 jersey for Ulster, but it would be difficult to sideline David Humphries for his province. Isaac Boss had a good game against the Aussies, but he's still cover for Stringer, not a genuine contender for the scrum-half position just yet.
In the backs, again we're spoilt for choice. The centre partnership of D'Arcy and O'Driscoll would be feared by any opponents in the world, not just for their ability to run through the eye of a needle and turn on a 1c coin, but also for their defensive work. That said, I would have liked to have seen Munster's Barry Murphy get a run out during the series, as he is another dazzling player. On the wings, we have Shane Horgan, who can step in one channel if needs be. On the other wing, a fully-fit Trimble should be the number one choice, as he is really coming into his own this year as a superb finisher. For full-back, it's a toss-up between Dempsey and Murphy. Both of them have their unique gifts to bring to the table and no side would be weakened by having to choose between one or the other.
But the most satisfying thing of all to take from the Autumn series was the confidence with which the team played. Last year, they lost two out of three, only winning a useless match against Romania. There were times during that series when the Irish players looked like they had just met for the first time in the changing rooms before the match. This time out they were much more assured. Passes that would have been missed 12 months ago were completed efficiently. Opponents were stopped in their tracks this year, when last year they would have barged through, leaving their Irish tackler on his back like an upturned beetle. Possession was kept this time around, when last time a ball would have been dropped or a turnover conceded in the ruck or set-piece.
So the next time we see the Irish in action is against Wales in the Six Nations. Ireland must go for an emphatic win in Cardiff to set down a marker for the Championship. Too often in recent years, Ireland have come close, only to see someone else run off with the title. That must not happen in 2007. This is Ireland's year. The Six Nations Championship is theirs to lose.
Aside from the three wins, there was more to cheer. The squad came through relatively unscathed, (save Marcus Horan's leg injury, which will keep him out of the game until the new year; and Andrew Trimble's hamstring, which shouldn't cause too much worry.) We also got to see a few new players get their chance at International level, particularly in positions that have had long-term incumbents, such as half-back and prop. Some of the old guard showed that they too were willing to fight for a seat on the plane to Paris next Autumn, most notably Denis Hickie, who had an excellent game against Australia.
In the forwards, we now have options in the front row (assuming Marcus Horan can recover completely from his injury in time for the Six Nations). We still have to pray for the good health of John Hayes, who had a superb series and showed once again just how valuable he is to the Irish set-up. When it comes to line-out time, the glory goes to the lads in the air, but they get there by being lifted by someone, and "The Bull" has proven over a long time that he is one of the best in the business at hoisting. The second-row picks itself, but I would have liked to have seen another younger player get a chance during the series. Malcolm O'Kelly is a good impact player, and a great man to have on the bench who can make an impression in the last 20 minutes of a match, but we need more solid cover should anything happen (God forbid) to POC or DOC. The back row - well what can I say? Denis Leamy is making the Number 8 jersey his own, and is now Ireland's most influential forward after Paul O'Connell. David Wallace is first-choice openside now, but there are options there should we need them. Neil Best had a barnstormer of a series, and should be the first choice for the No 6 shirt for the 6 Nations.
We got to see two new half-backs, both of whom acquitted themselves well, especially Paddy Wallace at out-half against the Pacific Islands. It would be nice to see him get more time in the 10 jersey for Ulster, but it would be difficult to sideline David Humphries for his province. Isaac Boss had a good game against the Aussies, but he's still cover for Stringer, not a genuine contender for the scrum-half position just yet.
In the backs, again we're spoilt for choice. The centre partnership of D'Arcy and O'Driscoll would be feared by any opponents in the world, not just for their ability to run through the eye of a needle and turn on a 1c coin, but also for their defensive work. That said, I would have liked to have seen Munster's Barry Murphy get a run out during the series, as he is another dazzling player. On the wings, we have Shane Horgan, who can step in one channel if needs be. On the other wing, a fully-fit Trimble should be the number one choice, as he is really coming into his own this year as a superb finisher. For full-back, it's a toss-up between Dempsey and Murphy. Both of them have their unique gifts to bring to the table and no side would be weakened by having to choose between one or the other.
But the most satisfying thing of all to take from the Autumn series was the confidence with which the team played. Last year, they lost two out of three, only winning a useless match against Romania. There were times during that series when the Irish players looked like they had just met for the first time in the changing rooms before the match. This time out they were much more assured. Passes that would have been missed 12 months ago were completed efficiently. Opponents were stopped in their tracks this year, when last year they would have barged through, leaving their Irish tackler on his back like an upturned beetle. Possession was kept this time around, when last time a ball would have been dropped or a turnover conceded in the ruck or set-piece.
So the next time we see the Irish in action is against Wales in the Six Nations. Ireland must go for an emphatic win in Cardiff to set down a marker for the Championship. Too often in recent years, Ireland have come close, only to see someone else run off with the title. That must not happen in 2007. This is Ireland's year. The Six Nations Championship is theirs to lose.