Ireland do not look like happy campers

On Rugby: What's the difference, Jason White was asked after their stunning win over France, between this Scottish team and previous ones? "We're a happy camp." It was a point coach Frank Hadden also alluded to when no doubt striking a chord with many a viewer with the observation: "If you go to work happy you'll work better."

Hardly rocket science, it sounds simple really. Enjoying their work, having a laugh, is an integral part of squad spirit in any team, and no less so than in an Irish rugby context. It's been one of the cornerstones of Munster's consistency.

For some time now though, the Irish squad have looked as if they spend too long in camp, that they are not enjoying themselves as much as they might and this betrays itself in the apparent lack of enthusiasm they take into their work.

Eddie O'Sullivan has a point when observing constant media carping about declining levels of performance can have a debilitating effect on a squad's spirit. Nevertheless, a change of scenery - the Six Nations instead of the autumn Tests, the Killiney Castle Hotel instead of the Citywest - the cancellation of a New Year training camp, the return of some frontliners from injury, the good form individually and collective of the Munster and Leinster players, had all promised a pep in their step. Once again though, it didn't seem to be there.

While France, assuredly, and Ireland may beg to differ, the Scottish and Italian resurgence on the opening weekend can only be good for the Six Nations. Such has been its seismic effect that not only is France's championship not a fait accompli, never mind a Grand Slam, but the reigning Grand Slam champions Wales are now second favourites for the wooden spoon.

It would be easy to dismiss last season's success as a flukey one-season wonder. But with Gareth Cooper becoming their 15th casualty of the season, Wales are down to the bare bones. For all their fancy footwork and offloading, the Welsh did front up last season. Think of their Grand Slam denouement against Ireland in Cardiff. Unlike then, however, they miss Brent Cockbain's abrasiveness and Ryan Jones' ball-carrying up front, while Gareth Thomas looks simply knackered. And Scotland, their next opponents, seem strongest (the breakdown, maul, collisions) where Wales look weakest.

What momentum has been gleaned from the weekend lies with England, all muscular power and straight running, and Scotland, while the reaction to Sunday's upset in Murrayfield was to suggest Bernard Laporte would wield his guillotine on the French players and that Ireland might be in for the mother of all backlashes. But that is not his style. "There will be changes and they will be logical ones, not punitive ones," he commented on Sunday evening.

"Touchés a la tete," ran L'Equipe's condemnatory page-one heading of France's tactical approach, and now the headaches are only growing for Laporte, especially in midfield, where there is a surfeit of injuries. Even the old guard who have been recalled to an expanded squad have been relatively idle of late.

Yannick Jauzion, labelled Big Brother or The Control Tower, amongst a back line featuring four fellow Toulouse team-mates, is as important to les Bleus as Brian O'Driscoll is to les Verts, if not possibly more so and his withdrawal on Friday with a broken toe will also render him hors de combat for next Saturday.

Without his guiding influence and encumbered by the groin injury which has troubled him for two months, Frederic Michalak cut a forlorn figure, misguiding kicks and fumbling the ball after ball, virtually waving Sean Lamont through for his first try.

If Italy's blitz defence gave a potential pointer to France in how to smother the primary Irish gamebreakers in midfield, then Scotland provided an even more wide-ranging template for Ireland to emulate. But can Ireland take a leaf out of the Scottish maul, close the space and match their aggression in defence, match them in the collisions and force as many turnovers at the breakdown? But even then, France are unlikely to again commit something in the realm of 26 turnovers. Nor are they likely to play such a touchline to touchline game without some bump and grind initially up front.

There still seems a strong case for altering Ireland's backrow and the outside three. But what few changes there may be will clearly not include Keith Gleeson, given he was not one of eight players added to the 22 on Sunday or even in the initial 35-man squad for the championship, even though he is in excellent form, would provide additional leadership and dovetails well with Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy.

Thus any rejigging will most likely be confined to either bringing Johnny O'Connor in or Anthony Foley, and the latter may be an option forced on O'Sullivan if Denis Leamy is suspended. Either way, as Matt Williams suggested in these pages yesterday, there would seem a compelling case for having players like Foley or Gleeson, and Denis Hickie or Girvan Dempsey as part of a bench with experience and impact potential. Recalling Hickie at left wing, or Dempsey at fullback alongside so many of their fellow Leinster backs with Geordan Murphy shifting to the wing, would still give a better looking attacking balance to the outside three.

Almost as interesting will be the composition of the A team and replacements. As this is one leg of three matches, one hopes it will be used as more a developmental team than a retirement home.

The more pressing concern, of course, is the Test selection. O'Sullivan is a smart fellow and will be poring over the options in personnel, preparation and strategy between now and Saturday. He needs a big, big performance from his team, and they're certainly due one.