Regular readers and followers of social media, Twitter, will know that I have been advocating for some time now that the IRFU should give current Ireland coach, Declan Kidney the role until the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Yes, I have had my criticisms of Kidney in the past as have others who would support him staying on, but that is what one would expect.
Ireland missed a great opportunity to reach a World Cup semi-final, indeed maybe even a final in 2011, because the players underperformed in the quarter-finals against Wales.
The ‘Golden Generation’ failed to deliver for Kidney when it mattered most.
In the season which followed, Kidney in my opinion did fail to make the changes which were necessary to freshen things up.
He may well have been safeguarding a strong seeding ahead of the 2015 World Cup – something which was secured last November.
In the past Kidney has built teams which have been successful.
Perhaps he inherited the ‘Golden Generation’ squad but he got them to deliver in 2009 with the Grand Slam at the Six Nations.
Back then he used 22 players during the campaign.
The current championship has been a bit of a flop, but Kidney must be cursing his luck in having a plethora of injuries - which he has never complained about or used it as an excuse.
In this campaign he has already used 31 players - albeit his hand has been forced. He has practically had to build a side - just like he did in November - to perform at the top level.
That side drew 13-all with France on Saturday which was a creditable performance - although they should have won the game in all honesty.
Kidney does not have a big player pool to pick from - you just have to look at the bench where at present there is simply no one to step up to the front row and compete at international level.
Given the way the scrum has creaked in this campaign - with the exception of the win in Wales - perhaps it is not Kidney the blame should be aportioned to but his assistants. Should they be moved on?
Italy’s performance in the Six Nations will give Kidney and Ireland concern, moreso know that the injury list just got bigger.
But if this Irish side can win next Saturday and with the absence of any other decent candidates (with the exception of Joe Schmidt) the IRFU will have, in my opinion, an easy choice to make.
Let Kidney stay on until the 2015 World Cup, but stipulate that his contract ends irrespective of what position they finish.
Comments