THE END LINE

A SIDEWAYS LOOK AT THE SPORTING NEWS

IRELAND have endured a disastrous World Rugby Under 20 Championship in France and questions now have to be answered. Losing to the hosts and South Africa was no disgrace but there are no excuses for the shock defeat by Georgia. Much was made of head coach Noel McNamara bucking the trend of former players graduating into coaching when he was appointed. Not only had McNamara never played professional rugby, he was a soccer man who had never played the oval ball game at all. It makes his rise all the more remarkable but, while top coaches do not have to have enjoyed top playing careers to succeed, handson experience at some level undoubtedly helps. Asking a player to do what you’ve never done yourself is a hard sell and it seems this Ireland side weren’t buying.