Passion will liberate our players to conquer France

THE commentators behave like lemmings: running headlong into a sea of oblivion because of some poor performances by the Irish rugby team.

This is fixable: revert to Ireland’s dynamic carrying, as against the All Blacks last November and in their demolition of England at Twickenham to win the Grand Slam last year.

Rugby is psychological warfare. Do not underestimate its effect, not only on the Irish team but also on the Irish nation.

So, front up against the French at Lansdowne Road on Saturday week. Play in their faces, as against the All Blacks. It is not about skill. Ireland have that in abundance.

Johnny, forget the wrap-around for awhile and kick to the corners. You are becoming predictable when as a great world player you don’t need to be. Liberate your outstanding runners Earls, Stockdale and Ringrose.

You are a world-class team, notwithstanding the hopeless dirge ‘Ireland’s Call’ which, as I predicted in the Irish Independent last year, does you no favours, confers no dignity, inspires no passion. Your war cry should be Éireann Abú.

The Welsh understand this with their sublime ‘Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau’. The All Blacks understand that with the haka. Nothing is achieved without passion!

Ar aghaidh! Maurice O’Callaghan

Stillorgan, Co Dublin