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Reggie Corrigan - Pressure is on Kidney and Jackson

Paddy Jackson looks set to be named as Ireland’s starting outhalf when the side to face Sco...
Newstalk
Newstalk

09.55 20 Feb 2013


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Reggie Corrigan - Pressure is...

Reggie Corrigan - Pressure is on Kidney and Jackson

Newstalk
Newstalk

09.55 20 Feb 2013


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Paddy Jackson looks set to be named as Ireland’s starting outhalf when the side to face Scotland is announced at lunchtime today. The decision comes after a full bodied public debate on how Declan Kidney should handle the absence of Johnny Sexton and, more long term, the future of Ireland’s kicking options.

Ronan O’Gara’s poor form against England and in the RaboDirect Pro12 against Scarlets has given fuel to the fire of critics calling for an end to his days as Ireland’s second kicker, while others have looked to the Munster man’s wealth of experience as a crucial asset for the remainder of the Six Nations campaign.

For all of the criticism O’Gara has received he remains the second most maligned man in Irish rugby in the past ten days. Declan Kidney has faced criticism on a daily basis for his management during and after the defeat to England and his decision to send Jackson into the fray from the outset on Sunday represents a bold move that could prove to be a major talking point when assessments of his own Six Nations campaign are conducted.

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Former Ireland international Reggie Corrigan spoke with Newstalk Breakfast’s Oisin Langan this morning and said that, as far as he can see, Declan Kidney is “in a bit of a no win situation” when it comes to how he runs the team, but is equipped to deal with the pressure in a constructive way.

“There’s a lot of people after him as such, there’s a lot of pressure on him.

 “He has a history of making big calls like this, if you remember back to the Heineken Cup (with Munster)…he’s not afraid to make a decision like this.”

While large sections of the rugby public and media have clamoured for a fresh start at outhalf, either with Ian Madigan or Paddy Jackson stepping into the breach, Corrigan wonders if the youngsters’ form has forced the move or if it is Ronan O’Gara’s poor form alone which has precipitated this change of approach.

With regard to Jackson, Corrigan believes the Ulster man “hasn’t been setting the world on fire” and questions remain over his temperament in big game situations following his poor Heineken Cup final last May. “There is a question mark, we don’t know what we’re going to get on the day.”

Can Jackson handle the pressure of a crucial Six Nations tie in Edinburgh and will Declan Kidney’s decision be vindicated?

Listen to the full interview below


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