David Corkery on rugby: Ireland's lack of depth an issue as other nations have caught up

Oh, how fickle sport can be.

One year, Ireland are tipped to win the World Cup but now many are calling for a complete overhaul and for heads to roll.

It wasn’t that long ago that Irish rugby was at the summit of the world rankings and Andy Farrell was being branded as the greatest thing since sliced bread. 

Today, Ireland are in fifth place on that very same table and Farrell is feeling a kind of heaviness and pressure that has been alien to him ever since he assumed the role back in 2019.

A very average third-place finish in last year’s Six Nations and losses to New Zealand and South Africa in November have set tongues wagging as to whether this current squad has reached its expiry date. The decision by the IRFU to grant Farrell a sabbatical year to coach the British & Irish Lions is also raising its head. 

It is very easy to point the finger of blame but last week’s loss in Paris clearly shows that Ireland are miles away from having the depth required to feast with the big boys of world rugby. And I guess someone has to take the blame for this. Two or three injuries to key first-choice players and it seems like we are scrambling to even field a team that can compete. 

GULF IN CLASS

I believe two other results from last weekend are far more revealing as to where Irish rugby currently stands.

Following the full international game in Paris, Ireland’s second choice XV played England A in Thomond Park on Friday night and were annihilated 52-14. 

The gulf in class, ability and strength was profound and apart from one or two Irish players who thought it might be a good idea to play well in front of the Irish coaching ticket, Farrell will take very little solace from what he saw.

The other game of major significance that took place was on Saturday at U20 level. Ireland found themselves at the wrong end of a very humbling scoreline of 50-21 and at times it looked as if the French were playing a completely different game to their visitors.

So, what we have when all these games are broken down and analysed is a very clear picture that informs us that the present and future of Irish rugby are miles off from where it needs to be and this is very worrying.

For many years, the player pathways and the control that the IRFU had over the professionals in this country were the envy of nearly every other nation 

However, what seems to have happened over the last decade or so, is that everyone else has caught up and Ireland have failed to evolve.

Obviously, it is not possible or advised to rip everything up and start again, but unless the blazers who sign off on the structures don’t start to make supple and forward-facing changes to the ways the national team is nourished, we could well be looking at a very bleak few years.

Saturday's game in Dublin against the Italians offers Farrell and co a perfect opportunity to get the stone rolling again. And with no major injuries to deal with from last week’s game, and Tadhg Furlong back fit and ready to rumble, Ireland can have no excuses.

This is a game that Ireland must not only win, but do so in a manner that shows they have learned their lessons from last week.

Probably the most telling factor of last week’s game was highlighted by the 19 missed tackles in the opening 40 minutes. The tackle will always be king in rugby and no matter what kind of speed you have on your wings or how strong your pack is, if you can’t make your tackles, you’d be better off taking up tag rugby or chess.

Last week, the Italians managed to beat Scotland and showed just how much they have improved in recent years. Just like Ireland, Scotland looked completely lethargic at the beginning of the game and let Italy in for two rather easy tries. 

The game could have swung either way in rain-sodden conditions, but it was great to see Italy win because of their never-say-die attitude.

The pain and hurt from Paris should be enough to carry Ireland through this so unless something catastrophic happens, Farrell should be able to breathe a sigh of relief and have a few pints of Guinness after.