O'Sullivan takes pressure in his stride

Eddie O'Sullivan admits the pressure is on as he prepares for the defining RBS 6 Nations Championship of his Ireland reign.

The dismal World Cup campaign has left O'Sullivan under greater pressure than ever before, but the self-belief still remains intact as he embraces the biggest test of his six-year tenure as Ireland coach.

"There's more pressure on me now because we've come off the back of a World Cup that wasn't as successful as we'd hoped it would be," said O'Sullivan. "Now the challenge is to put the train back on the tracks.

"Ultimately that doesn't change my job - I don't start doing things differently because I'm under pressure. I'll do the same as I do every day. If all the talk is going to make you act differently, then that's a bad thing.

"You still have to be true to yourself and back yourself to get the job done. Sure people will talk and pressure will mount but this is the Six Nations so let's get the job done and see what happens."

O'Sullivan, speaking at today's Six Nations launch, is eager to draw a line through a World Cup that has damaged some reputations.

The lingering doubts from those tortuous four weeks in France will be amplified should Ireland struggle in their opener against Italy a week on Saturday.

O'Sullivan names his 22 to face the Azzurri on Friday and looks set to remain loyal to the players largely responsible for the disappointment in France.

"I believe I got selection right during the World Cup because if I'd changed the team around would it have transformed our performance?" he questioned. "The answer to that is no because our performance at the World Cup wasn't based on poor selection, it was based on the fact we didn't play well as a unit.

"Changing the unit around wouldn't have made any difference.

"The Six Nations is different to the World Cup and the current squad has been picked around the form shown in the Heineken Cup and Magners League.

"There are some young guys in the Six Nations squad. How many of them makes the field remains to be seen. But I'm sure some of them will at some point."

The IRFU reacted to the World Cup by launching a review and its results in a Genesis report, which were published in December.

The main recommendations were the appointment of a team manager, backs coach and sports psychologist, but none of these will be in place until after the Six Nations.

"It's important not to victimise yourself on a timeline and force people into those positions because there's a Six Nations starting next week," said the head coach.

"The danger in that is you may not get the best man for the job so it's better to sit back and create some breathing space. Those appointments will be made before the summer tour so we can bring in the best people for the job. There is no rush."

One of the criticisms of Ireland under O'Sullivan is the 49-year-old has become too autonomous, but he welcomes the decision to add to the management team.

"I was involved in the process that decided we needed the additions and I will also be a part of the selection team," he said.

"Maybe I'm naive but I don't see the problem with the changes. We're always looking to change things for the better. It's an ongoing process."