Planet Six Nations

Jones holds one hand up over O’Gara SUNDAY TIMES rugby correspondent Stephen Jones has a blog and, never one to shy…

Jones holds one hand up over O'Gara

SUNDAY TIMES rugby correspondent Stephen Jones has a blog and, never one to shy away from controversial opinion, regularly ignites online debate. For years, Jones rarely lets a week pass without hammering Ronan O'Gara to the point that the Irish outhalf made contact.

“For a whole chunk of his career I did not rate Ronan O’Gara,” writes Jones. “Accordingly, news of this reached him and I don’t think it is breaking a confidence if I say that he let me know he didn’t rate my view that I didn’t rate him. “If texts were fists. Ouch.”

Granted, Jones appreciates O’Gara’s finer qualities these days, but now he blames “the drastically limited” Peter Stringer for holding him back. “So who was right?” asks the veteran reporter.

“O’Gara himself would admit that he has changed as a player and become a more complete fly-half. Perhaps he might admit that in the old days some of my criticism rang true. If so, then I’d have to hold my hands up, too. Well, maybe only one.”

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Mystery about O’Kelly solved

IT WAS strange to see Ireland’s record cap holder Malcolm O’Kelly omitted from 36-man training squad last Sunday, especially when he featured off the bench against Italy in Rome.

When questioned about it, coach Declan Kidney put it down to competition for places. With Bob Casey, Ryan Caldwell and Alan Quinlan all retained in the squad and Munster fringe player Mick O’Driscoll promoted to the replacements, this simply didn’t add up. It has since transpired the Leinster lock was dropped due to a time-keeping issue. No official clarification was released by the Irish management or IRFU and Kidney seemed to indicate that O’Kelly remained in contention for future selection. Nevertheless, John Hayes will equal his 92-cap record against England tomorrow.

Smith gets his wrist slapped by IRB

ENGLISH ATTACK coach Brian Smith has been formally rebuked by the International Rugby Board following his criticism of South African referee Jonathan Kaplan earlier this week.

Smith went to the media in an attempt to influence Saturday’s referee, Craig Joubert, to be lenient on English players following eight sin-binnings in their previous three Tests.

“The official performance review of the Wales versus England match at the Millennium Stadium ranks Kaplan’s overall performance as high and the IRB is satisfied that Kaplan followed the correct protocol for addressing both teams on and off the field and dealt with England and Wales in a fair and professional manner and refereed what was in front of him,” read an IRB statement.

“An official process exists for Unions to give feedback to the IRB on refereeing performances,” it went on.

“IRB Referee Manager Paddy O’Brien and the RFU Elite Rugby director Rob Andrew shared a very positive meeting on Monday, which makes the timing of the comments regrettable and unfortunate.”

Although a success as London Irish coach, Smith is no friend of Irish rugby, having received nine caps for Ireland at outhalf between 1989 and 1991 before signing a professional rugby league contract in Australia despite assurances to the contrary.

Not that anyone’s holding a grudge . . .

O’Connor makes welcome return

WITH THE Six Nations dominating headlines this weather, activity in the provinces could easily be overlooked. Johnny O’Connor makes his return to action today for Connacht A against Ulster A in Mullingar (kick-off 3pm) after being plagued by a calf injury this season. O’Connor is joined in the line-up by other players who, at one time or another, were tipped for international careers, Andy Dunne and David Gannon. Ulster have signed Dan Tuohy from Exeter Chiefs, while Matt Williams has also secured contract extensions for Simon Danielli and Bryan Young.

Few changes to women’s team

THE IRELAND women’s rugby team will face England tonight in St Mary’s College, Templeogue (kick-off 6.30pm). Coach Steven Hennessy has made two positional changes to the side who overturned their Italian counterparts in Collefero. Niamh Briggs moves from the number 10 spot to full back, while Joanne O’Sullivan takes up the outhalf position. Grace Davitt comes in on the wing for Jeannette Feighery.

IRELAND:Niamh Briggs (Munster); Grace Davitt (Leinster), Lynne Cantwell (Munster), Helen Bronson (Munster), Amy Davis (Ulster); Joanne O'Sullivan (Ulster), Tania Rosser (Leinster); Fiona Coughlan (Leinster), Yvonne Nolan (Leinster), Gillian Bourke (Munster), Caroline Mahon (Leinster), Orla Brennan (Leinster), Louise Austin (Leinster), Sinéad Ryan (Leinster), Joy Neville (Munster, capt). Replacements: Jess Limbert (Ulster), Emer McManamly (Leinster), Kate O'Loughlin (Munster) Debbie Clarke (Leinster), Louise Beamish (Munster), Shannon Houston (Leinster), Jeannette Feighery (Munster).

Radio exchange

IF YOUR ref link radio was malfunctioning at the Ireland v France match on February 7th the IRFU has guaranteed a refund (through Redstone Radios) or exchange in Croke Park tomorrow. Bring your old radio and exchange them through the the radio sellers inside the grounds.