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Laugh it off: Murray backing O'Gara to hit form at vital time

Though the Ireland camp insist the number 10 shirt is up for grabs, the Munster man’s experience gives him the edge.

HE HAS BEEN paired with many out-halves in his short career, but Conor Murray has seen enough of Ronan O’Gara to believe he can steer Ireland to a win over Scotland this Sunday.

A hamstring injury to Jonathan Sexton in the Six Nations defeat to England pushed O’Gara back into Ireland’s pivotal position.

This week, with only uncapped alternatives for the number 10 jersey, head coach Declan Kidney is set to call on the 35-year-old again.

“I played most of my rugby with ROG and we’re quite comfortable with each other.” says Murray, O’Gara’s provincial and half-back partner, before pointing to his experience of playing with both Ian Madigan and Paddy Jackson as one reason the number 10 shirt is still up for grabs.

Having worked in close quarters with O’Gara for the entirety of his professional life Murray is confident that, despite a shaky display against Llanelli Scarlets on Saturday, the veteran’s mental toughness will make him an asset for Ireland.

“He’s so mentally strong that he’s laughing and joking about the kicks this morning – that’s the way he approaches things. He’s done it for years; having ups and downs and coming back the next week.

“I (see) no problem. If he starts, he’ll be absolutely fine. No issues.”

Backs coach Les Kiss added that he and Kidney are fortunate to have options after losing such a central tenet of their game-plan in Sexton:

“We’re pretty lucky. You’ve got ROG who has proven his experience. Ian Madigan, who is in a good vein of from and doing some nice things. Paddy Jackson has really come on as a 10 and driven a really strong Ulster team this year, so we’ve got some good options.”

A spate of injuries reaching into double figures will limit this coaching ticket’s will to make any additional selection surprises. With Gordon D’Arcy ruled out, Declan Kidney will be keen to surround the incoming ’12′ with experience.

Exposure

“Across the pitch you just have to make sure that the right people have been exposed to enough parts of what you’ve been working on and that they can carry the plan forward for you.” Kiss says.

“You’re trying to work out what’s the best combination based on all those (technical and tactical) decisions we have to make. And that decision doesn’t just stop with the 10: we’ve got a 12 to think about, the bench to think about – how we can manipulate that. We’ve got a front row to think about… so we’ve just to work out what the best mix is and go forward from that.”

No matter who starts the game at fly-half, however, Kiss maintains that Ireland will look to play the same expansive game-plan as they do with Sexton at the helm.

“Certain parts will adapt based on each player, but there is an underlying philosophy or principal that we want to stay on the ambitious side, keep being positive about our play as much as possible.

“The way we want to play the game and the way we want to work our shape and manipulate the  defence demands that we have a very agile and mobile way we think about the game. We’re trying to hone that all the time, so any new player that comes in, we don’t want to shift away from that too much.

“We’ll adapt accordingly, but I don’t envisage any major change in how we want to play the game.”

6 Nations: Marshall set to take centre stage after shaking off injury

In pictures: Ireland’s 6 Nations hopefuls back in business ahead of Scotland showdown

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17 Comments
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    Mute Richard Crompton
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    Feb 19th 2013, 8:42 PM

    Have a sneaky feeling he will go with Jackson with Marshall outside him. Familiar to each other in defence, ROG’s defence is just not strong enough, Visser and Maitland will run his channel all day and could cause problems. Should be Madigan and Mcfadden in reality but never gonna happen with DK.

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    Mute 5☆Fily
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    Feb 19th 2013, 8:53 PM

    Spot on

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    Mute Jamie O Sullivan
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    Feb 19th 2013, 9:03 PM

    McFadden at 12?
    Why not Marshall? Surely he deserves the chance.
    I think Mc Faddens versatility is going to hurt him for a while.

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    Mute John
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    Feb 19th 2013, 9:20 PM

    Be great to see him do that but really can’t see it happen….if you’re right fair play to you!

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    Mute mattoid
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    Feb 19th 2013, 9:30 PM

    Spoken like a true blue Richard

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    Mute Richard Crompton
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    Feb 19th 2013, 9:42 PM

    True Mattoid I am a true blue, but supporting my country is far more important to me. Was a huge fan of O Gara for years but there is no denying that his best days are well past their sell by date. I hate that provincial shi t e to be honest does my head in,I always cheer for the other 3 Irish sides when they play makes no sense to me people that would cheer for a non irish side against their own countrymen.

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    Mute Áine
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    Feb 20th 2013, 12:10 AM

    I agree Madigan should be in there, infact I think he should be starting, but Marshall definitely deserves his place. He is one of the most exciting prospects in Ireland atm. Has McFadden even played much at 12 for Leinster this season? Would like to see him on the bench mind you.

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    Mute mattoid
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    Feb 20th 2013, 12:21 AM

    Leaving O’Gara out of it Richard, the fact that you favour McFadden and Madigan over Marshall and Jackson speaks volumes. All four are exciting prospects for the future, not just the blue two!

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    Mute Small Retort
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    Feb 19th 2013, 8:42 PM

    Surely the world’s slowest half back pairing?

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    Mute John
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    Feb 19th 2013, 8:54 PM

    So true……I’m worried for ROG at this stage……it teaches the rest of the back line not to be going on too long thinking they’re still 25!!!

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    Mute Philip Ryan
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    Feb 19th 2013, 9:09 PM

    funny this half back pair are in the qfinal of H cup…. your in amlin for sure (;

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    Mute John
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    Feb 19th 2013, 9:18 PM

    Sometimes we all need good advisors to tell us when our time is up…what we say about him on the journal is nothing compared to what the tv pundits will say about him if he has another nightmare this Sunday…..be a shame to see a fabulous career be marred by an ego never ready to say enough is enough

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    Mute Chris Mcdonnell
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    Feb 20th 2013, 11:12 AM

    And they’ll still be in the Amlin after the next round not sure you can say the same for your lot

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    Mute Brian O' Connor
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    Feb 19th 2013, 10:23 PM

    These games are usually won by the team not making as many unforced errors as the opposition. To go into any competition at this level without a recognised top class kicker is suicidal. So on balance O’ Gara on past form I reckon will get the nod.

    Jackson will be given game time and hopefully will prove his undoubted ability.

    If Madigan was to be picked instead of Jackson because of his more reliable goal kicking he could be a possible starter but my guess he will not make the match day squad.

    More important is, who will partner BOD in the centre?

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    Mute Carton Fox
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    Feb 19th 2013, 11:02 PM

    Luke Marshall.. Hopefully.. Or McFadden!??

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    Mute BlackQueen
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    Feb 20th 2013, 12:00 AM

    It’s Jackson and Marshall!

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