Look of Irish points to home rule

WHAT'S in a look? It's dangerous to read too much into a man's demeanour -- books, covers and all that -- but Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has seemed a different man these past two weeks.

The bags under the eyes and rumpled weariness have disappeared. Gone too is the tetchiness and constant request for questions to be repeated which, in poker terms, is O'Sullivan's "tell" for disapproval.

Instead, he presents a relaxed, chatty demeanour and seems less inclined to hide behind trite observations and meaningless soundbites.

Following months of two-way hostility between O'Sullivan and the media, there seems to have been a concerted move towards presenting a more open and friendly front almost on the basis of, if you can't beat them, join them.

The fourth estate is not a group renowned for its modesty and there has been some self-satisfied preening from self-regarding pundits who clearly believe it was their sage advice that forced a change in attitude and selection.

Belated

But it wasn't the media who forced the belated elevations of Bernard Jackman, Jamie Heaslip and Tommy Bowe, it was O'Sullivan's realisation after the Italy game that form could no longer be ignored.

However, there is no doubt O'Sullivan is revelling in his Obama-like move towards change, as evidenced by his volunteering the following, obviously pre-prepared, information at yesterday's press conference.

"The team shows eight changes from the side that beat England at Croke Park last year," revealed O'Sullivan, without being asked. "That's a lot of changes but it's a great opportunity for guys coming in."

The bait was swiftly taken. So, is this evidence of a change in policy, a move towards a younger age profile?

"No, I wouldn't say that. You put the best team on the pitch to win the game, it's as simple as that. It's down to guys forcing their way onto the team."

Whatever sub-currents are in play, the Ireland team that runs out today is close to the one most of us would have picked for the Italian match, with Geordan Murphy's late call-up for the injured Girvan Dempsey adding to the sense of anticipation.

However, while the progressive selection and the nature of Ireland's second-half performance in Paris have eased O'Sullivan's worry lines, the lull only extends so far.

He has picked a good team, he now needs to hand them a gameplan and instil the necessary focus and fervour to see the job done. If there is a reversion to the fractured, feckless rugby we saw at the World Cup and against Italy, the pressure is back on the man in charge.

For, you look at the respective line-ups and conclude that this is a match Ireland should win convincingly.

Scotland coach Frank Hadden has staked his job on the performance of Chris Paterson -- a quality player who has been shunted around the Scottish backline since his debut at full-back against Spain in 1999.

Hadden is gambling on Paterson's ability to run at the Irish from first receiver as well as bringing the outside backs into play. However, Ronan O'Gara's defence is not the weak link it once represented while Scotland's three-quarters are an unproven entity. Andy Henderson has enjoyed good days against Ireland (he scored a hat-trick in the World Cup warm-up last August and another in 2001) but is a solid rather than spectacular centre while Simon Webster is Coventry City to Brian O'Driscoll's Manchester United.

Ireland's captain, who declared that he "felt great" yesterday after worries about a calf strain earlier in the week, tends to be man marked whenever he takes the field these days and, while he was excellent in claustrophobic circumstances in Paris, he has struggled to replicate the stunning line breaks that forged his reputation.

That could change today. Webster is pedestrian and, if Andrew Trimble can take it up and suck in defenders, his partner could make hay. Trimble and O'Driscoll tend to switch around but the Ulsterman's skills are better suited to the traditional 12 role and he can complement O'Driscoll in the way Rob Henderson did so successfully in the early part of this decade.

"We know how Brian plays and we know how to handle him," said a confident Webster yesterday -- we'll see how he feels around 7.30 this evening.

Murphy's reintroduction to his favoured role adds considerably to the options in attack and he excelled in his last outings at 15 (against Scotland and Argentina). Of course, Ireland's backline superiority is irrelevant if the pack are out-muscled and there is a huge onus on the front five to gain at least parity in scrum and line-out and for David Wallace and Denis Leamy to provide quick ball at the breakdown.

Allan Jacobsen and Euan Murray destroyed Bryan Young and Simon Best last August and, after two weeks of praise following their French exploits, Marcus Horan and John Hayes have to front up once more.

Mick O'Driscoll is calling the shots out of touch and there is no better man to ensure a slicker operation than we saw in Paris. The Munster man is not the tallest second row around but is one of the most athletic and has built his career around getting in the air early and on his own. If O'Driscoll can achieve this, Bernard Jackman is more than capable of hitting his man.

The breakdown is key. Slow ball will give the Scottish defence time to organise and greatly reduce O'Gara's options. The Scots feel they have an advantage in this area and will do their utmost to disrupt Irish possession and one hopes referee Christophe Berdos is not shy to wave his yellow card for persistent ruck infringements as Ally Hogg and Kelly Brown know all the tricks.

However, there is no reason why this Irish pack should not gain the upper hand while Ireland, with O'Gara's proven authority calling the shots, have the edge in the backs.

Throw in home advantage, rediscovered Irish confidence and low Scottish morale and this should be a home win by at least 15 points which would set us up perfectly for the showdown with Warren Gatland's Wales.

A scraped victory, or shock defeat, and we will have to drastically reassess the look of the Irish ... and their coach.

Verdict: Ireland

Ireland: Player Stats

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