A poor Six Nations would confirm French suspicions.
It is rare for the reigning champions, two years in succession, to enter a championship with so many questions raised about their credentials. And yet that is exactly where Ireland find themselves.
Beset by injuries, with a depleted coaching staff, doubts over the form of key players, Paul O’Connell retired and under-performing provinces have all combined to cloud Ireland’s preparations to defend their title.
Joe Schmidt has already told reporters that a mid-table finish may be the height of Irish ambitions but one must hope he is attempting to come in under the radar.
Leading French rugby outlet Rugbyrama has run a feature, today, asking if Irish rugby is in crisis.
Writer Bruno Poussard declares that it seems a lifetime since Leinster and Ulster contested the 2012 Heineken Cup final. He notes that Leinster finished bottom of their Champions Cup pool and that Munster came third in theirs and points out how the Irish provinces prioritise Europe over the Guinness PRO12.
Poussard speaks with former Leinster and Connacht hooker Bernard Jackman, who now coaches Grenoble, as learns that Ireland’s younger generation have fallen into a post-World Cup slump.
Jackman believes the arrival of David Nucifora as IRFU High Performance Director has impacted on the provinces from recruiting high-class foreign players to merely suit their needs. The provinces feed into the national team so it may be difficult to bring in the likes of Rocky Elsom and Brad Thorn on future, short-term deals.
The feature also includes a telling contribution from RTE commentator Michael Corcoran, who states Leinster Rugby’s annual budget is €12.5m whereas Clermont Auvergne’s is €28.5m.
When all is said and done, Sunday’s opener against Wales will tell us if Irish rugby is in a mire or whether the rest of Europe will be chasing green tails again.
