RONAN O’Gara, pictured here with his man of the match medal from last weekend’s Six Nations game against Scotland, is now surely Ireland first choice number 10. That is of course, if you are a Munster fan or even just a fan of the tactical kicking game the Munster 10 has now mastered. In most people’s minds, last Saturday’s performance at 10 has ended the “Sexton versus O’Gara” debate once and for all.
O’Gara is now favourite to take control once more of the coveted number 10 jersey. Sexton’s failure to keep a steady ship on course last weekend will go against the now 25-year-old.
With a week off before the Welsh game on Saturday March 12, Declan Kidney has some time to sort out his ever growing discipline problems.
With 12 penalties against, (14 if you count two that Nigel Owens played advantage for) Ireland are in serious need of a wake up call. Better teams, (as was proven against France) like Wales and England will punish Ireland more, should they get 14 penalties in a game.
When you also consider that Ireland once more scored three tries, the penalty situation is a serious cause for concern.
With that many penalties, cohesion and continuity are almost impossible to maintain. Tommy Bowe, Keith Earls and Luke Fitzgerald were almost a non entity when it came to attacking play.
With Wales on the horizon, Kidney and Co. have some decisions to make. Due to you cut the players who have been ill disciplined, or do you go again with the same team and hope they learn?
One thing is for sure. Wales and England will be hoping we continue to play like headless chickens. Ireland will not be a threat to them in any shape or form at this rate.
