Call it desparation if you like, but everyone but the French seem to have written off Ireland’s chances in Paris tomorrow night. Raphael Ibanez: “I do not believe that they are a team in decline. Maybe they are suffering but that only makes them more dangerous.” He’s a club team mate of O’Sullivan’s surprise new scrum half choice, Eoin Reddan:
“…he is a very provocative player, who likes to take control of a game and who gets his forwards very involved around the rucks. I think that Eddie O’Sullivan wanted to add some dynamism to the team’s game and he certainly has done that because Reddan has dynamite in his legs.”
For now, it makes sense to plan for success, but prepare for adversity…
Mick is founding editor of Slugger. He has written papers on the impacts of the Internet on politics and the wider media and is a regular guest and speaking events across Ireland, the UK and Europe. Twitter: @MickFealty