Ireland's 2013 Six Nations, a coroner's inquest, part 1

Marshall
By Gary Watton
April 4 2013

Suffering almost as many casualties as the Soviet Union in the Second World War [a slight exaggeration perhaps!], the men in green endured the Six Nations from Hell. Here is my post-mortem of a campaign that started impressively in the first fifty minutes against Wales, before the wheels started to gradually come off yet another disappointing Six Nations adventure for Ireland. The following is an assessment of each back. Ireland have a great back division, but regrettably the downpours in Dublin against the English and French tended to nullify our potent weapon on such occasions while mysteriously in Edinburgh, Ireland failed to execute chances which our dominance had created.  

Rob Kearney: His performances fluctuated and he did not hit the heights of last year when he was deservedly nominated as the European Player Of The Year. He still should merit inclusion on the Lions touring squad, but he may begin it behind Leigh Halfpenny in the pecking order.
Craig Gilroy: He rarely had the opportunity to stretch his legs, but still managed to score a try from close range in the bizarre defeat to Scotland. He seems defensively sound, and better times lie ahead for the Ulster prodigy.
Gordon D'Arcy: He actually looked really solid in the first two matches, so it is a matter of regret that injury curtailed his campaign. If O'Driscoll does hang up his boots, he may be called upon to nurse the developing Marshall through the next Six Nations and World Cup.
Brian O'Driscoll: The experts raved about his contribution to the triumph in Wales, but thereafter he was confined to the occasional line break but mostly his defensive prowess was called upon. Regrettably after his heroics at the end of the France match, he then let himself down with the stamping in Rome. The Oirish hope that the legend can be persuaded to keep going.
Luke Marshall: Luke made a sensational start in Murrayfield, albeit on a losing side. He has yet to taste victory in an Ireland shirt, but he at least appears to be the 'find' of the season and should go from strength to strength.
Simon Zebo: His enforced evacuation from the England match was not only the cruel turning-point of his season but the team's displays were never the same again. Simon possesses the X Factor as he spectacularly demonstrated in Cardiff, and Ireland cannot get him back to full fitness quick enough.
Keith Earls: Keith takes a lot of flak, not least from the Leinster contingent. Yes he has the infuriating tendency to make a line break but then fail to pass, but Earls is a speedy winger who is still worth his weight in gold to the Ireland squad. England and Scotland would be glad to have someone of his calibre in their ranks.
Luke Fitzgerald: It is great to see him bounce back from lengthy injuries, but it appears that this ex-Lion will be playing second fiddle to the likes of Bowe, Earls, and Zebo unless he can be accommodated in the centre in the future.
Fergus McFadden: This Leinster stalwart put in a commendable shift against France. I honestly think that he has the making of a decent centre, especially as his chances on the wing may be limited by strong competition.
Jonathon Sexton: Rather like Zebo before him, his injury against England not only ruined his campaign, but Ireland were never the same again. Until recently the jury was out on Jonny, but few people now deny that he is British and Irish rugby's premier fly half. He can kick, he can attack, and he can tackle. He is basically the complete fly half.
Paddy Jackson: Paddy had a debut to forget against Scotland, at least in terms of his goalkicking. However, he came on leaps and bounds against France and Italy. He has now established himself very quickly as an able understudy to Sexton, which is a comforting thought for the future, especially as he is an attacking fly half.
Ronan O'Gara: Poor Ronan needs to learn to quit while he is ahead. By prolonging his illustrious career, he looks set to go out on a low, when we all prefer to remember his stint as a brilliant fly half. We all knew that he was defensively weak, but when his kicking skills desert him, it's time to leave the stage for the youth to occupy. O'Gara was a key member of a great decade of Irish rugby. He must now retire from Ireland, unless he can summon a new level of performance that exceeds the mediocrity of his Six Nations efforts.
Ian Madigan: Leinster's deputy fly half actually played quite well in a losing cause against Italy, even though he was out of his position. Whether or not he can obtain many caps as Ireland's premier fly half remains open to question.
Conor Murray: Conor seemed to come of age against France where his tendency towards box kicks served his team well. Murray is strong and willing, but many reckon that he isn't speedy enough to be regarded as anything more than a stopgap until Ireland find a classy scrum half. Mind you, Michael Bradley was always considered a 'slow' scrum half, but he too was a tough cookie.