'We know exactly what we're about'

Rugby Six Nations Championship: IRELAND v FRANCE REACTION:THE BODY language and verbal expression of players in pivotal, potentially game-defining moments can offer a mirror to the soul of a team. On Saturday at Croke Park the enthusiasm and commitment of the Ireland players was palpable from the stands.

It wasn’t simply apparent in the explosion of bear-hugging and back-slapping that accompanied the three tries but the approbation dispensed for grittier contributions. There were numerous examples as when a jaded Jamie Heaslip was congratulated by a host of team-mates after forcing French replacement wing Cedric Heymans to concede a late penalty, one that ensured there would be no nasty surprises in the final throes of the contest.

There is a vitality to this Irish team that has accompanied the new coaching regime but there is also an air of confidence. In times past Ireland might well have buckled when France cut loose but they didn’t, hanging on, scrambling and then embellishing their virtues with those tries. Experience would have helped when times were fraught on Saturday but there appears more than that, a commonality of purpose between management and players that is appreciated by all.

Nursing his usual quota of facial discolorations, Ireland second row Donncha O’Callaghan touched on the subject when he spoke about how much further down the road the Irish team now is under the new management.

“I feel that player wise there is great clarity in our game-plan now. We know exactly what we’re about. That’s not making excuses for poor performances in the autumn (November Tests). We know what Les (Kiss) wants in defence; we know what Gert (Smal) wants in the forward play, (and) the way Declan (Kidney) wants us to play.

“There would have been little grey areas there in the autumn internationals but now there is pure clarity. You know when we hit the wide channels what we are trying to do, when we hit midfield, the same. Of course it takes a bit of time to bed in with the coaches.

“Like I said I’m not trying to look for excuses with regard to past performances but that extra time has been important.”

The Munster secondrow confirmed that the players had spoken in the build-up about the importance of work-rate and commitment; about getting up and making that extra tackle, that clear-out or simply being there to support the ball-carrier. No one shirked their responsibility under the watchful eye of scrumhalf Tomás O’Leary, who chivvied and directed with authority.

O’Callaghan smiled: “There was a great feeling among the team. There was a real will to get off the ground after you made your hit, get back up on your feet and make another tackle. I think Tomás (O’Leary) bullied the forwards brilliantly, shouting and roaring at fellas.That’s all we need a bit of direction.

“He gave that to us. That’s priceless. When you can get the likes of Stephen Ferris, Haysie (John Hayes) and Jerry (Flannery) screaming at you to get off the ground, you wouldn’t be long there (on the ground).

“We have a saying, ‘no logs lying on the ground.’ You just heard fellas shouting that today.”

The match was played not only at a breathtaking intensity but a breakneck speed that seriously examined player fitness. The age old argument about the comparison between provincial and international fare surfaced. O’Callaghan’s answer brooked no argument: “International rugby is played at a different pace.

“You just cannot afford to make any mistakes. The intensity of it is through the roof. You can’t compare it to anything you play with your clubs or your provinces. It’s a massive step up. You look around our dressing room and fellas were sucking after it (the game). I think we’ll be all the better for that (experience) because it gets you up to speed for the challenges that you face ahead in this tournament.

“The breakdown was incredible. Maybe it is because you are playing against the best players but nothing is taken for granted. Every hit you feel it, every time in contact it’s massive.”

It was a theme picked up by Ireland’s openside David Wallace. “Not only did they play with their typical flamboyance but they were physical and aggressive. It was a very hard-fought game. They played well and that probably makes the victory all the sweeter. The pace of the game was very high. Any time we kicked it they ran it back, took quick throws-in and it can be very hard to play against because they are the best in the world when it comes to that. We tightened it up a bit in the second half and didn’t give them as much space. It was still difficult as they were liable to score tries from anywhere.”

Wallace was perfectly placed to analyse the performance of his backrow colleague Jamie Heaslip, a deserving winner of the man of the match accolade. “Jamie was brilliant; (he) left nothing for the rest of us. When he wasn’t scoring tries he was poaching ball: he was on fire today. I had a quiet game myself in terms of attack but Jamie was brilliant, really potent.”

Wallace also explained the significance of the delighted melee that surrounded Gordon D’Arcy when he crossed for Ireland’s third try. “Everyone felt for him when he was having the trouble (with his arm). Like himself, we were worried that he’d never get back here. That cameo, to come on and score a try was brilliant. Everyone was chuffed for him.”

Italy next Sunday in Rome will provide a completely different assignment. On Saturday’s evidence though, they will face an Ireland team that looks very comfortable in their own skin.