O'Connell taking nothing for granted

SIX NATIONS NEWS: 'WHAT WE have here is a failure to communicate,'is delivered by Paul Newman's character in the film, Cool Hand Luke. If the words 'in time' were to be added to the aforementioned quote it would offer a modern overview to the current situation that dominates the professional rugby headlines. Never was the word breakdown more apposite.

Many column inches have already been devoted to the interpretation of the tackle area, with many more likely to be penned after the final weekend of the 2010 Six Nations Championship. Players are notably more phlegmatic publicly when discussing this issue, whatever private misgivings they may harbour.

Ireland’s pack leader Paul O’Connell isn’t about to get into a tizzy because he knows there’s no point. When Scotland come calling at Croke Park on Saturday, the application of the law is the only salient debate, not the rights and wrongs of the edict. There is likely to be little difference between the interpretation of last weekend’s referee Craig Joubert and his fellow South African Jonathan Kaplan, who’ll take charge against the Scots.

It’s the timing of the change in emphasis that makes it awkward. O’Connell admitted: “We’re in a certain habit. That’s the thing, it won’t be a problem over time but to change a habit in two days is quite difficult. It is the way it is and you just have to get on with it. Why it’s happened mid-competition (Six Nations Championship) is strange.

“I can see the reason for it. People are getting so good at the breakdown now it is slowing up the game, but it’s just not ideal for it to happen in mid-competition. It’s (the breakdown) a big thing for us, it’s a big part of our defence, something Les Kiss brought in. There has been plenty of rule changes and it’s the same for everybody else.

“Yeah that’s it (curbing your instincts). It’s a habit and if you weren’t doing things at a hundred miles an hour it would be easier to think about what you’re doing and stop yourself but when you’re in the heat of battle your instincts take over and your habits, which up until now have been good habits for us, take over and it’s just a little bit about detraining that.”

Steering conversation from the slightly abstract theme of interpretation to the specifics of the challenges facing Ireland as they bid for Triple Crown history, O’Connell warns that underestimating the Scots would be folly.

He argues that their performances in the Six Nations warranted more than a single draw and Ireland need look no further back than last year’s encounter to recall how intensely physical the collisions will be.

He points to the fact that Andy Robinson has moulded a tough outfit with a strong defence and line-breakers in the backrow and out wide – the Scots have conceded only six tries, one more than Ireland – and they are more innovative in terms of patterns from set-piece than most other sides in the tournament. These are not vacuous garlands.

There are other ancillary issues regarding Saturday’s game. It will be Ireland’s last game for the foreseeable future in Croke Park. It’s no time to be maudlin but O’Connell has no problem in putting in context what it has meant to play there.

“It’s been brilliant. We were very aware of the history and tradition on Croke Park and how difficult it had been to get to play there. We were very grateful to the GAA to be allowed to play there, conscious to represent (the sport) well there and to do well there. I think we have and hopefully we can finish well there at the weekend.

“The big one (memory) would be the first English game there, particularly after the French (defeat). The anthems were incredible; very, very emotional for everyone involved. That would be the big standout moment.”

On a lighter note the Munster captain accepted that any primacy in Limerick sporting life has been usurped by the decision to make Keith Earls the Grand Marshal for today’s St Patrick’s Day parade. O’Connell laughed when suggesting it was a Thomond RFC conspiracy.

He also found time to offer his perspective on the Good Friday agreement: the one with the small “a” that concerns the upcoming Magners League game between Munster and Leinster that will be played on a day when pubs in Limerick won’t ordinarily be open.

The Ireland secondrow favours an exception being made, citing the financial windfall it would generate in tough economic times.

On Saturday he will win a 70th cap; that milestone may be significant but O’Connell is happier about being involved in a squad that’s winning silverware. That’s his focus; well that and maybe being Grand Marshal next year. The Lions captaincy has to count for something!