Categories: Ireland Six Nations Supporters Club

Eddie O’Sullivan: Pre-Match Quotes

Ahead of his side’s clash with Scotland, Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan discussed the injuries to Denis Hickie and Marcus Horan at Friday’s press conference at Murrayfield.

ON THE INJURIES TO DENIS HICKIE AND MARCUS HORAN:

“Denis trained this morning and everything seemed fine, but obviously the problem with a back spasm is that it could go backwards again and if it does we could be in trouble tomorrow.

“We’ll just have to see how he goes in the warm-up and I think we’ll leave it to the last minute to be 100% sure.

“Marcus Horan was just warming up and he felt a tightness at the top of the calf, which is a little bit of concern given that it is only 24 hours out.

“I prefer to call these things earlier than later but in this scenario you always give the guys every opportunity.”

ON TOMORROW’S MATCH AND TALK OF A THIRD TRIPLE CROWN:

“The one thing we know about Test rugby is that all the talk that goes on before the match might be very interesting, but when the ball is kicked off nobody knows what is going to happen.

“If you are going to depend on the past to win the game tomorrow then you are in big trouble.

“This Scottish team have a point to prove and we know that is all Scotland need – they have shown many times in the past that they are very good at proving points.

“And we’ve gone into games before where we’ve been favourites but been turned over because we probably bought into our own fame too much.”

ON SCOTTISH OUT-HALF DAN PARKS:

“I know Dan Parks isn’t too happy that he has been tagged as a kicking out-half and it is very unfair actually.

“I would agree with him – but he is a very good kicker and the one thing they have got tomorrow is that this guy can rifle the ball 50 or 60 metres in behind you and pin you down.

“It wouldn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that this is something they will use at some point.

“Our back three will have to be more alert and looking for different triggers – so it does colour your thinking, although it doesn’t change your game plan dramatically.”