Tommy O’Donnell returns to main stage

Tommy O'Donnell had, seemingly, arrived only to disappear just as quickly. Capped on the 2013 summer tour of North America, the 27-year-old Munster openside stretched his legs for a try in the 40-14 defeat of Canada.

Sean O'Brien's injury ensured he was part of the Six Nations squad for the Scotland and Wales victories.

Definitely arrived.

Suddenly he slid out of the squad entirely for the Twickenham loss as Jordi Murphy was capped in his place. Murphy was retained on the bench for Italy at home and on to Paris.

“It was disappointing. I thought I had played well when I came in. Joe (Schmidt) made the point that he picked Jordi as he was the form player at the time. It’s hard to argue with that. You just have to go away and work.”

He watched Ireland capture the Six Nations title in Killarney, he got a Six Nations medal, but it got worse before it got better.

Back down to Munster, the Tipperary native was part of the backrow that decimated Toulouse before being dropped for Sean Dougall as Toulon ended their European aspirations in last season’s semi-final.

Some tumble.

Summer break

“I just took the summer break, used that as a starting point, used that as refresher point. Went back and worked on a lot of the basics, upped my work rate and the intensity I take into the game. A lot of work around my defence, chop tackling and being a nuisance. Basically having more of an impact on the game is what I have tried to do. It’s working so far.”

He dropped from 108 to 104 kilos to improve mobility with the intention of stealing more opposition ball.

“Kept my muscle mass the same but dropped those extra kgs of fat.”

Back up the ladder he has climbed with the Munster seven jersey on his back. Tomorrow should see the same number for a sixth cap for Ireland.

"There is no point looking forward or back. We are fully focused on Georgia. They may be a tier-two nation but they play with a helluva lot of pride, a helluva lot of passion. They've got some great players playing in France. They are going to bring a lot of intensity and physicality. We have to approach them with the same mindset as we did for South Africa."

We agree. Seven of their pack play in the Top 14.

“Yeah, they have got great depth at prop and backrows. Lots of guys who are good at getting in on the ball.”

The Georgia match in 2007 is as good a warning as any. Ireland, under Eddie O’Sullivan, fielded the most capped side ever. They probably should have lost. With Ireland leading 14-10 with five minutes remaining the Georgia pack surged towards the Irish line. Denis Leamy somehow got underneath the ball to earn a five-metre scrum. Paul O’Connell stole a lineout with 90 seconds remaining. Ireland cleared.

Punt it

“Average wage of a Georgia rugby player?” asked the commentator.

“Forty pounds a week.”

Shane Horgan caught a mark and opted to punt it into touch just outside Ireland’s 22. There was 15 seconds on the clock. Co-commentator Will Greenwood called it “headless, disorganised, dysfunctional”.

He could have added: “Disastrous.”

Mamuka Gorgodze thundered into O'Connell and Simon Easterby, Ireland's current forwards coach. The choke tackle saving them again. There was a few punches thrown as Wayne Barnes blew the full-time whistle.

O’Donnell had just started in the Munster Academy.

“I remember watching it thinking we should pull away in the second half but it didn’t happen.That’s what you have to be ready for. This is a team that take pride in playing for their country.”