RUGBY:The game of numbers has cast no spell over the Irish management. Thirty six years old on Thursday, 128 caps, 1,083 international points and none of it concerned too much the Irish manager Mick Kearney or assistant coach Les Kiss.

The figures and statistics that mapped out a career of high success and heroic intervention was not also going to be used as evidence for Ronan O’Gara’s perceived decline. Not just yet. Kearney and Kiss looked straight at the cameras yesterday and declared that O’Gara remained a relevant figure in the Ireland squad and would not being nudged out to pasture.

Kearney may still be settling into the Irish management job but already he knows the power of injury and changing landscapes. Despite O’Gara being “disappointed” in his face-to-face meeting with Declan Kidney and the call to leave him out of the 32-man Irish squad, both the manager and Kiss were adamant. The obituaries for the outhalf are premature.

There was no fanfare because the decision was “absolutely a form decision” and not, as many people saw it, publicly stated opinion on the health of a career in its twilight.

“Ronan is an absolute legend of Irish rugby and has contributed a massive amount. I don’t necessarily think it’s the right thing to do for Declan Kidney to issue statement or management to issue statement,” said Kearney.

“We are not signalling the end of his international career. I still think there is a decent possibility of Ronan O’Gara being involved before end of this Six Nations. That’s the case and I don’t think a statement would have served any purpose.”

Current predicament

Not alone has O’Gara intellectual capital that has already been constructively used within the Irish squad but the management understands their current predicament more sharply than anyone.

Jonny Sexton has a slim chance of playing this week, while Paddy Jackson and Ian Madigan have one international cap between them. Not only would it be absurd to cut O’Gara completely out but unfair to deprive him of hope where some may still exist.

He is not a pragmatic choice for a World Cup in less than three years’ time, but despite the negative optics for him surrounding the choice of the two younger players, neither Kiss nor Kearney was shying away from their continued backing of him as a contender. But just how difficult or realistic it will be for O’Gara to get one of the places back again is a moot point.

“It’s a difficult question to answer,” said Kearney. “Obviously injuries could play a part in it. Ronan played Saturday night for Munster against the Ospreys and he did fine, he played well and he hasn’t been ruled out of selection.

“Obviously the decision has gone the other way for him this week but I think we all know that in sport things can change very quickly with an injury or whatever and suddenly he could be back in the limelight very quickly.

“If you were looking towards the World Cup in 2015 you’d have to say that it wouldn’t be a pragmatic thing to do (bring him back) but certainly if you were looking in the short-term and there was an issue with injuries or form I think that the policy all along would have been to put the best team available on the park pretty well at all times, especially in the Six Nations. His experience could still be very beneficial before the end of the tournament.”

Looking to future

The elephant in the room is that O’Gara was dropped because other have overtaken him, his form has wobbled and Kidney must also look to the future. In the squad these things are everyday occurrences. There maybe respect for O’Gara and an acute sense of passing but little sentiment.

“We’ve spent some time without Paul O’Connell being in, Stephen Ferris, Tommy Bowe,” says Kiss. “These are guys you expect to be around the place, so you sort of get used to it. There is always a part, when they’re injured, off in a rehab group. You’re used to having these separations then getting back in the group.

“The players have just moved on with it, not in a cold-hearted way but just in a professional way. They have to do it.”

Leinster sign outhalf Gopperth Kiwi joins from Newcastle

Leinster have wasted little time in filling the hole that will be left by Jonny Sexton when he leaves for France at the end of the season. Ian Madigan, who will have a say on who is first pick outhalf next year, knows now it is Kiwi Jimmy Gopperth.

The New Zealander will join the province from Newcastle Falcons this summer on a two-year deal. Gopperth adds Super 14 experience to the Leinster set-up with 363 points in 53 outings for the Blues and Hurricanes, as well as starring for New Zealand’s second-string national side, the Junior All Blacks, in winning the Pacific Nations Cup.

An Under-21 World Cup winner in 2004, the 29-year-old played in the Air New Zealand Cup for Wellington and North Harbour and is known for his goal kicking and play-making. He joined Newcastle three seasons ago and after 70 appearances has averaged over 10 points a game.

“We believe he will be an excellent foil for Ian Madigan, bringing added depth and experience to the outhalf position . . . ,” said Leinster Head Coach Joe Schmidt.

“Even though Newcastle have struggled in recent years, he has been a hugely consistent performer during his time in England where he won back-to-back Golden Boot awards.”