Socialising 'made Irish team stronger'

According to Seán O'Brien, the Irish squad know when to let off steam and when to be professional. And no dwarf-throwing. JOHNNY WATTERSONreports

DESPITE THE recently leaked documents, many of which refer to the lack of discipline within the England team, Ireland flanker Seán O’Brien sees the process of socialising as an important part of team-building. Ireland unashamedly socialised between matches at the World Cup and photographs were printed in Irish newspapers of Stephen Ferris stripped to the waist in a bar during one of the nights out.

But O’Brien says the Ireland squad were always aware they were professional players and that they were involved in a hugely important tournament. He also believes that going out together helped make the Irish team stronger.

Although Ireland were described by by one of the English players as being “worse” than some of the drunken England players on their night out in Queenstown, O’Brien says the Irish team image has not been damaged.

“We weren’t really dragged into it,” he says. “As far as I read, they mentioned us being on a night out as well and some of the Irish media were with us. But I can assure you there was no dwarf -throwing on our part. None of that craic.

“We were having a good time together but no-one got out of hand, no-one did anything wrong.

“It’s a thing that I even coach. I’d often say it to the lads after a couple of weeks or if we’ve had a couple of nice wins that we’d all go out for a night. Have a bit of craic together.

“You certainly see the change the following week at training. Lads are happy, they’re relaxed, they’re back in and focused again. People need that every now and again.

“It’s just a little bit of a release, you know. You’re professional players and you’re caught up in a world where you have to be on your game every day of the week, whether it’s training or matches. You’re trying to push yourself to the best.

“So every now and then – whether it’s every five, six or seven weeks – you let your hair down. You get out. Obviously, you don’t do anything stupid, but you relax. I think it’s more about relaxing and getting out of that little bubble that you might be in, of that concentration. Get your mind away from rugby.”

While O’Brien may now be one of Ireland’s central players, his views on the World Cup have not yet been sought by the IRFU.

The review of the Irish team’s performance in the tournament is taking place with the results to be privately delivered in December. But not all of the Irish squad will be consulted, or, if they are, not all of them are aware of it. O’Brien knows nothing about any review.

“No, I couldn’t tell you, I haven’t been asked,” he says. “I personally haven’t been informed. Maybe some of the more senior players have been informed. I wouldn’t be . . . I wouldn’t say it’s a case in England either where all the players are asked and all given a sheet and asked to write down what they thought of the World Cup.

“I’d say it was a leadership group, I’d say it was four or five of the senior players. That’s what they do, get them and see what has worked before and what’s best for the group that they have.”

If it was a leadership group within the England team, then they are in much deeper trouble than they realise. Many of the revelations seem to have come from the less experienced players in the squad and not the clique of senior figures, who would have been part of any leadership group.

“Listen,” says O’Brien. “It’s one of those things that’s growing legs the whole time. It’s their problem and they have to deal with it. It’s out there that they weren’t happy. Certain players weren’t happy. Management wasn’t happy either.

There would certainly be tension between the players if you knew who was saying the stuff. It is going to upset a few people but if it is the truth then so be it and you face up to the facts.

But it wouldn’t be a nice place to be.

“I certainly wouldn’t like to be involved in it.”