Ireland's dramatic fall from grace has been well-documented in recent times. Following a poor showing at last year's Rugby World Cup, the Irish team could only manage a disappointing fourth place in the Six Nations.
The Independent's Chief Rugby Correspondant Peter Bills recently summed up the collective disappointment at the current state of Irish Rugby, and cited in particular how poor confidence is rife amongst the current squad.
Bills' prediction that O'Sullivan would soon walk away from his post came to fruition last night as the Irishman announced that he would be stepping down in front of the world's media. Wyn Griffiths broke the news today, and also went on to speculate on who the IRFU might choose to take Irish Rugby forward.
O'Sullivan's resignation will please many in the rugby world, but nobody more so than Warren Gatland. After widespread speculation that the Irishman had been influential in removing the Kiwi during his spell as Ireland Head Coach, Gatland will have more than a wry smile when he picks up his paper this morning.
How fitting, perhaps, that in O'Sullivan's last game at the helm of Irish rugby his side were comprehensively beaten by none other than Warren Gatland's Wales. For Gatland and Wales the future looks considerably brighter, leaving a fractured Irish set-up in tatters.
Thursday 20 March 2008
Monday 3 March 2008
Croke Park braces itself for Celtic clash
This weekend the rugby world will have one eye on the latest score in Dublin as Wales look to take another decisive step towards winning the Triple Crown and achieving their first grand-slam since 1978.
However, if history is anything to go by then Wales can certainly expect a formiddable task awaiting them at Croke Park. Guardian columnist Eddie Butler believes that even though the international set up of both sides may have altered slightly over the years, this weekend's fixture is sure to be as passionate as ever. Indeed, Ireland still harbour dreams of over-hauling Wales and lifting this years' Six Nations trophy.
It would appear, however, that not everyone is prepared to buy into the propaganda that Wales are certainties to steam-roller their way to grand-slam success. Indeed, Rugby writer Paul Ackford from the Telegraph feels Wales' dreams of achieving a memorable grand-slam by be thwarted if not by Ireland, then by the French.
This is certainly no sign of bitterness towards the Welsh, far from it. But when you analyse that Wales' three victories so far have come by comprehensively beating the two statistically weakest sides in the tournament, coupled with the fact that England effectively handed them victory in their opening match, it is not wrong to suggest that tougher challenges lie ahead.
This brings us back to this weekend's crucial fixture. Defeat for Wales would throw this years' Six Nations wide-open. However, a victory for Gatland's warriors may signal a rise to prominance of a new force in world rugby, and one which should be taken very, very seriously.
However, if history is anything to go by then Wales can certainly expect a formiddable task awaiting them at Croke Park. Guardian columnist Eddie Butler believes that even though the international set up of both sides may have altered slightly over the years, this weekend's fixture is sure to be as passionate as ever. Indeed, Ireland still harbour dreams of over-hauling Wales and lifting this years' Six Nations trophy.
It would appear, however, that not everyone is prepared to buy into the propaganda that Wales are certainties to steam-roller their way to grand-slam success. Indeed, Rugby writer Paul Ackford from the Telegraph feels Wales' dreams of achieving a memorable grand-slam by be thwarted if not by Ireland, then by the French.
This is certainly no sign of bitterness towards the Welsh, far from it. But when you analyse that Wales' three victories so far have come by comprehensively beating the two statistically weakest sides in the tournament, coupled with the fact that England effectively handed them victory in their opening match, it is not wrong to suggest that tougher challenges lie ahead.
This brings us back to this weekend's crucial fixture. Defeat for Wales would throw this years' Six Nations wide-open. However, a victory for Gatland's warriors may signal a rise to prominance of a new force in world rugby, and one which should be taken very, very seriously.
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