LAST Saturday was a black day for Irish rugby, and while the consequences and circumstances surrounding the suspension of Peter Clohessy are the central theme of most elements of debate in relation to Ireland's performance against France, the game goes on and there are other vital matters arising from Ireland's performance.
The suspension of Clohessy must not be allowed to divert attention from other vital matters. With Jim Stapks ruled out by concussion and Clohessy by suspension at least two changes will be made in the side. I have no doubt that will not be the extent of the alterations.
On the Issue of Clohessy, as a player he has won 16 caps for Ireland and played well for his country. Whether he is ever selected or plays again for Ireland only time will reveal. If he does not, his action last Saturday will submerge his contribution to the teams he has played for. All those who have coached the teams he represented at every level are as one in stating his level of commitment and application. Discipline, however, is no less a vital attribute.
All those with whom he has played at club, provincial and international levels hold him in high regard as a player and colleague. Off the field he is one of the most personable, approachable, modest and co operative of people. That makes the incident last Saturday all the more unfortunate.
As one who knows him well, I haven defended him in the past when I honestly believed injustice was done to him. So have others. I have no regrets on that issue. But his action last Saturday was both reckless and extremely dangerous and unacceptable. However great a player's commitment, it has to be harnessed to discipline. Everyone who plays the game has a duty to it, that duty is greatest of all to the Ireland jersey.
I believe as he reflects on what happened last Saturday he is coming to realise and appreciate the gravity of his action and one cannot offer a defence for it, nor would attempt to do so. He must accept the consequences and realise that whatever his intentions were and his commitment to his side, that he exceeded the limits between the physical and the dangerous and, in doing so, could have inflicted a very serious injury on Roumat.
On the question of team selection, Ireland has two internationals to play within the next four weeks, the first on Saturday week against Wales in Dublin. That display against France allied to the inept performance given against Scotland have presented an urgent case to the Ireland selectors.
The original intention was to pick the team for the match against the Welsh next Friday night. That plan has been altered and the selectors will instead meet tomorrow night to select the team. Before they contemplate the composition of the side, they would need to take note of very concrete evidence and discuss in great depth what type of game they want Ireland to play. When they do that their task will be to choose a side best equipped to carry out the game plan. It will not be easy and the legacy of two defeats and the level of performances given in them impose their own specific difficulties.
Technical proficiency is an essential element, but one of the most notable aspects of Ireland's performances has been the lack of the traditional fire, spirit and passion in Ireland's performances. One has to ask if those are being sacrificed to theory and players are being inhibited by being told that they must do things in a certain manner and specific way and stick to game plans that are being decreed for them. Those game plans must incorporate elements of the traditional approach. Of course teams will not win on spirit and passion alone, but they have always been crucial factors in Ireland's best performances.
The Ireland manager, Pat Whelan, and coach Murray Kidd would do well to discuss these important matters and set down their priorities and adopt tactics suitable to the Irish character and the specific and identifiable aspects so long an integral element fundamental to the Irish game.
THERE is a clamour now to bring in the youth and cast caution aside. That approach has its own hazards. I have no problem with giving youths its chance, but you also need experience at this level. Nothing is more damaging to morale and the development of young players than continuing defeat. It is important that the selectors get the balance between giving youth its chance and surrounding it with experience.
The full back berth looks to be between Conor O'Shea and Simon Mason, and Simon Geoghegan will return on one wing. I think Jonathan Bell, although playing poorly, will be given one more chance to deliver on the promise he has shown but which has not come to fruition this season. Maurice Field could well replace Kurt McQuilkin, who had a very indifferent game last Saturday. Niall Woods fully deserves to be retained on the left wing.
So, too, does David Humphreys at outside half but the scrum half berth will be an area of keen debate. Niall Hogan's passing was dreadful against France and some of his decision taking was also poor. But he is capable of much better than he revealed in Paris and could well hold on and be named as captain. If not Chris Saverimutto is the obvious option at scrum half.
While Paul Wallace looks certain to come in at tight head prop instead of Clohessy, Nick Popplewell and Terry Kingston are both under severe pressure. Popplewell's lack of match practice is a major factor in his play. He may be retained and given one more chance if not, Henry Hurley is the alternative. Kingston could well give way to Allan Clarke, and if that happens it could mean Popplewell being retained, for I doubt if the selectors would go in with three relatively inexperienced front row forwards. Shane Byrne was injured last Friday playing with the Irish Students and, in any case, if Kingston goes, I think Clarke's excellent line out throwing will win him the hooking berth.
A partner for Gabriel Fulcher will be another issue. Paddy Johns had a poor match in Paris and would lose out if Jeremy Davidson is moved from the blind side flank to the second row. I shall be surprised if the selectors revert to picking Neil Francis. It is now clear that David Corkery is best placed on the blind side flank and must be moved to that position, and Victor Costello has certainly earned another chance at number eight.
I hope that the selectors bring in Denis McBride on the open side flank. He represents the best option in this position. He could also be named as captain if Hogan is not selected at serum half. So it looks as if either Johns or Davidson will lose out, for I think that Corkery will be chosen on the blind side flank.
Whatever the composition of the side, let us express the hope that we will see some of the traditional Irish qualities restored and a tactical approach suited to the personnel in the side. The team that played last Saturday had been well received when chosen, but proved to be sadly deficient in attributes that have always been an integral part of the Irish game. So let the lesson be absorbed.
