If Ireland win this title, they"ll have earned it

At least, if nothing else, Ireland have begun to fulfill their stated aim of turning the Aviva Stadium into a fortress.

Ironically, the starting point was arguably a defeat, namely that last play loss to the All Blacks in November, but the pulsating atmosphere generated by the team’s performance that day appears to have reverberated through to this championship, and this despite one early Sunday afternoon kick-off followed by two more on Saturday afternoons.

For the first time since Ireland returned to Lansdowne Road in the shape of the Aviva Stadium, Ireland have won all their home games in the Six Nations – and by a combined total of 84 points – to ensure Ireland are in a good place. Helped by kicking off last and knowing what will be required of them, their destiny will be in their own hands come 6pm local time (5pm Irish) on Saturday.

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The mythical Grand Slam may have eluded them, and indeed a Triple Crown, but as Brian Moore observed in the

Telegraph

yesterday, Triple Crowns are comfort blankets for those who do not win titles, and O’Driscoll himself effectively said as much before the tournament started when admitting he would not take another Triple Crown if offered one there and then, preferring a Slam or, failing that, a title.

The term golden generation does not sit easily with just one title, even if they assuredly were a golden generation – with the baggage of history perhaps a factor when set against, by contrast, Wales’ rich history from the golden 70s.

It’s always been a crying shame O’Driscoll et al had so many second-place finishes, which would make another all the more anti-climactic, and given he led the rejuvenation in Irish rugby, while also providing inspiration for future generations, in a sense Irish rugby owes him another title.

Announced himself
A second title in Paris, given the Stade de France was where he announced himself to the world with that hat-trick, would be apt. Yet Ireland haven’t won there since, and furthermore have only beaten France once in 14 meetings since the victory in 2003, namely in the first leg of the ’09 Slam.

Admittedly, Ireland drew 17-all in Stade de France two years ago after leading 17-6 at half-time, as well as drawing 13-all last season having led 13-3 at the interval, and all four provinces won in France in the Heineken Cup this season, while Ireland could be said to have improved in the last two years.

Yet, it’s also worth noting Ireland will have to become the first team to beat one of the other top four teams away Championship to win the title, as all five previous games involving top four sides have been home wins; France beat England at home who beat Wales and Ireland at home, with the latter beating Wales at home, who beat France at home.

Article source: http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Sport/Cambridge-Shelford/Hooley-prepared-to-play-Northampton-Saints-waiting-game-20130806091117.htm

If Ireland win this title, they"ll have earned it