Players not available to play the Ashton way

We have had recrimination and analysis, some of it touched with volatility in the aftermath of Ireland's defeat and performance…

We have had recrimination and analysis, some of it touched with volatility in the aftermath of Ireland's defeat and performance against Scotland at Lansdowne Road last Saturday. One point the difference at the end, the consequences of the concession of a needless penalty. That gave Scotland the match, in what was an even contest. Equality may not necessarily mean mediocrity but in this instance it certainly did. Two poor teams in a contest riddled with basic errors, the more error prone of the two lost the match, the side with the greater level of resolution and tactical awareness won it.

There are several aspects of that match that are worthy of some detailed examination. This was professional rugby played between highly paid players all of whom earn much more money than the vast majority of those who paid hard earned cash to watch an inept encounter.

Not so long ago we heard complaints from Irish players about how disadvantaged they were in relation to a variety of areas compared to the other nations. Fitness was called into question, we heard about a lack of upper body strength that became what was akin to a rallying call for the dissidents, adequate time and attention to preparation and training were all thrown into the pot.

We also had the sentiments expressed by the current Ireland captain Keith Wood. He left us know very firmly where his priorities lay. Those arguments no longer hold up. The Irish Rugby Football Union and the branches was very convenient vehicles to blame. The calls went up that, until such time as we had a full-time professional coach and a proper back up team we would trail way behind the rest.

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Well we have had a full-time professional coach in place for over two years with Murray Kidd initially and for the past 12 months Brian Ashton. Every possible facility is given to the current Ireland team behind which there is currently a back up team of 12. That team that played against Scotland was together for almost a week prior to the match. During the course of this and last week I have watched some Leinster Schools Senior Cup matches and quite honestly some of those youngsters would put the Ireland team to shame in several areas.

It is costing £3 million to put this Ireland team on the field and it is about time they started to deliver. No one expected them to beat a vastly superior force such as New Zealand. The performance against Italy was deficient in many areas, and then we had last Saturday. Faced by a country that lost 10 of their previous 12 matches and a side that had conceded record margins to no fewer than four opponents in the last 12 months, Ireland could not win from an eminently winnable position against a team of such mediocrity. It is time for some very concerted self analysis and it is high time that the blame for Ireland's current problems was placed precisely where it lies, and that is primarily with the players.

I would add in some poor selection and lack of appreciation of the limitations of some of those chosen to adopt a game plan outside the compass of this side behind the scrum. Over then to coach Brian Ashton. Too many of the players he is selecting do not know how to win, losing has become a habit for them at club and other levels.

The captain tells us after the match he is "gutted ", no variation there on what is becoming a very familiar theme. He has been "gutted" so often in recent times that he must be akin to fillet of cod. If he looks back on his own performance and his singular lack of leadership when it was most wanted, he can scarcely be pleased with his contribution. Wood has fallen way below the level of his performances in the past and his deficiencies as a captain were shown last Saturday. When Ireland led by five points entering the closing phase of the match and had a series of scrums near the Scotland line the game should have been tied up.

Scotland survived that crisis with a clever tactical substitution. The replacement of loose head prop George Graham by David Hilton being an important factor, never mind that it was made in doubtful and probably illegal circumstances. I was under the impression that substitutions could not be made until the ball is dead.

Indeed the Scots use of tactical replacements was an object lesson for Ireland and so too was the Scots' desire to win. Ireland's ineptitude in the last 10 minutes was truly dreadful, as was Wood's lack of leadership. It is time for Ashton to change his mind about the captaincy and about some players as well. Scotland's selection of Craig Chalmers at out-half was a clever selection. They picked a team to win irrespective of the method by which the win would be attained. That was why Chalmers was in the number 10 jersey instead of Gregor Townsend. Scotland's shrewd coach Jim Telfer made no secret of that as Chalmers was the man to play the percentage game. That too was the reason Eric Elwood should have been at out-half for Ireland and why he should be in the position against France in a fortnight's time. Not alone would I select Elwood I would make him captain.

Whatever about Ashton's tactical approach, there is no doubt at all there has been a very discernible change of tactics in the Ireland management. Ashton is now very much up front. It is his team and therefore he is the man who must offer the explanations. The Ireland manager Pat Whelan did not say a single word during the post match press conference - shrewd man Pat. He now knows where the buck stops.

Ashton has many admirable attributes as a coach and that view is widely shared among the players and indeed his management colleagues. He does have a closed mind, however, on some issues and apparently some players. What he must also learn and has not is that he does not understand specific Irish characteristics. However, worthy his intentions about playing an expansive game, his teams must be picked and tailored to the talent at his disposal. Right now Ashton does not have the players to play the game he wants. That is why Elwood is the man now required by Ireland and the team to play France must be chosen bearing all the circumstances in mind.

The coach is, too, in my view preoccupied with English-based players and does not see nearly enough rugby in this country. Surely for instance he should be in Limerick tomorrow to watch Garryowen play Shannon in a crucial the AIB League match. His is the voice that clearly matters in team selection and that is fair enough. But he should be watching the Garryowen flanker David Wallace and several other players such as Mick Galwey, Eddie Halvey, Anthony Foley, Alan Quinlan and Killian Keane. Ireland had a major problem at open side flanker last Saturday, a major problem at out-half and ongoing problems in the centre. Pat Whelan and selector Donal Lenihan will be in Limerick tomorrow. But Ashton should also be there, his is the ultimate voice in selection and consequently his the ultimate responsibility. How receptive is he to his selectors' views? France are more creative, more innovative, quicker and more talented behind the scrum than Ireland. Time is short, the needs are urgent.