Wales showdown will be thriller – O’Sullivan

Feb 25 2008 by Our Correspondent, Western Mail

IRELAND coach Eddie O’Sullivan admits he fears a Wales side fuelled by confidence and is predicting a high-octane afternoon when the Six Nations title rivals collide at Croke Park.

Self-belief is slowly being restored to the Irish psyche, with Saturday’s 34-13 victory over Scotland building on the battling defeat in Paris.

Unbeaten Wales are one step ahead, with the new coaching regime of Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards inspiring their own post-World Cup revival.

Italy were swatted aside 47-8 to leave the Welsh as the only remaining contenders for the Grand Slam and O’Sullivan accepts they will be formidable adversaries in two weeks time.

“We saw in 2005 that Wales built momentum throughout the tournament and went on to win a Grand Slam,” he said.

“Wales are a very difficult team to play against when they’re confident.

“Sides play better when they’re confident, but Wales do fire particularly well when they’re on top of their game.

“They’ve had some great results in recent years against the top teams in the world, especially in Cardiff. They play well as a confidence team and they’re in that frame of mind right now.

“We have to be up front about it, accept they’re firing at the moment and believe in what they’re doing.

“That makes them a force to be reckoned with.”

O’Sullivan has braced Croke Park for a thriller – if the weather holds.

“It could be the match of the tournament,” he said. “Because of the direction we’re going and because of our own growing confidence, we could have a cracking game on our hands.

“Two teams like to run and, if it’s a dry day at Croke Park, it will all bets off and a great spectacle.”

O’Sullivan may be hyping the conflict to come on the pitch, but of equal significance will be the battle waged between the personalities on the sidelines.

Animosity exists between Gatland and O’Sullivan based on the manner of the former’s controversial succession as Ireland coach by the other, lending the occasion a fascinating sub-plot full of intrigue and unfinished business.

The build-up during the next fortnight will be overshadowed by their rivalry, but so far O’Sullivan has greeted the Kiwi’s achievements for Wales with unreserved plaudits.

“New coaches have come to Wales and introduced fresh ideas, keeping the players on top of their toes,” he said. “They got off to a good start in the Six Nations, getting two important wins.

“The way Warren is rotating the squad points to a much better spread of talent than Wales had in 2005, when they won the Grand Slam.

“That’s evident in the way they’ve moved selection around yet are still getting results.

“The Welsh team have much more depth than in 2005, but it’s a similar style of play they’re using.”

The line-out remains an ongoing problem for Ireland, but forwards coach Niall O’Donovan refused to hold the throwing of hooker Bernard Jackman responsible.

“We were jittery at the line-out in the first half, but then settled down,” he said.

“Bringing two ball carriers in Jackman and Jamie Heaslip into the side always meant a trade-off at the line-out.

“I won’t blame any one individual for that. People spent years blaming John Hayes for the problems at the scrum, but it’s a collective thing.

“Jackman may have under-cooked a few throws at the start, but some of the calls weren’t right either.”

Meanwhile, Geordan Murphy ended a tumultuous week with a headline act against Scotland that confronts O’Sullivan with one of his greatest selection dilemmas.

Ireland’s win delivered a fresh twist in the Murphy saga.

Axed on Tuesday in response to a fragile display against France, he returned to his club Leicester that night to undergo treatment on a knee injury.

Once fit he was named in the squad for the weekend’s Guinness Premiership match against Sale, only to make a dramatic return to Dublin.

First choice full-back Girvan Dempsey had a hip injury and, when he failed a fitness test on Friday, Murphy was thrust straight back in the starting line-up.

Earlier in the week O’Sullivan had been forced to fend off questions over the possible demise of Murphy’s Test career, but his man-of-the-match display mocked those forecasting the end of his career.

O’Sullivan – who has shared a tempestuous rapport with one of Ireland’s most gifted players – has two weeks to decide who starts against Wales

“It’s been a rollercoaster week. I was nervous before the match and there was a bit of pressure there from other sources,” said Murphy.

“I never thought it was the end of my international career. I’ve been in that position before.

“It’s not the first time I’ve been left out and the thing was always to remain positive and I came back strong.”