Ireland boss Declan Kidney has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to the fly-half position. Equipped with a legend of Irish rugby, as well as a rising star – the competition has spurred on the master to win back his place from the student.
Jonathan Sexton was considered as the team’s first choice No. 10 following the autumn internationals, as his rival fly-half Ronan O’Gara was dropped. Although it was always on the cards, it was still a shock.
And it was the 24-year-old, Sexton, who was named in Kidney’s starting XV for the opening Six Nations match against Italy. The veteran O’Gara could have been forgiven for thinking that his international career was heading towards a premature end.
Just where had it all gone wrong?
It was only in March last year when O’Gara cemented his place in Irish folklore with that famous drop-goal at the Millennium Stadium against Wales to seal Ireland’s first Grand Slam for 61 years.
Being dropped 11 months later - not solely due to the rise of his teammate, but also because of a drop in form – clearly affected the Munster star, who admitted that he was forced to rediscover his best form after losing his place.
"It hurts when you're dropped. It's very disappointing, especially when you care about the team so much," O'Gara said.
"When it happens you try to see where you can make improvements.
"You look at yourself harder but usually your first reaction is to try and blame other people and not yourself.
"I needed to address that and that's what I did. I was happy in my own head, even when things weren't going so well."
Just as things were looking bleak for O’Gara, his rival for the No. 10 jersey sustained a dead leg, only days prior to the opening match of the Six Nations.
This was the veteran’s big chance to showcase his qualities again. To remind Ireland why he is regarded as a legend in his homeland. To prove that he wasn’t the spent force on the international scene many may have been led to believe.
He duly took his opportunity, remaining defiant under pressure – as any great player does when their back is forced against the wall. O’Gara was at his imperious best against the Azzurri, kicking 16 points in Ireland’s 29-11 opening match victory; the veteran was impeccably clinical, scoring all six of his dead-ball chances.
With Ireland desperate to secure back-to-back Six Nations titles, and with the dream of consecutive Grand Slam titles still within their grasp, head coach Kidney has opted to stick with the impressive O’Gara for their crunch match against tournament favourites France this weekend.
It’s a huge decision based on faith, made all the more significant by the fact that Sexton is back in the squad for Ireland’s second Six Nations match. He will have to make do with a place on the replacements’ bench, though, as O’Gara aims to inspire Ireland once more.
It’s now down to the 32-year-old to prove his worth against arguably the best side in this year’s tournament. O’Gara will be fully aware that performing against underdogs Italy is a different achievement entirely compared to putting in a gutsy display against the competition’s strongest outfit.
And with Sexton firmly breathing down his neck, anything less than another inspirational performance will probably cost him in place in the starting XV for the away match against England.
But if any player is capable of kicking his nation to victory against Les Blues, it’s Munster and Ireland’s Mr Reliable.
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