Ronan O'Gara backs Munster's Six Nations debutants to shine

MUNSTER and Irish legend Ronan O'Gara believes that Jack Crowley and Calvin Nash have what it takes to thrive in the Marseille cauldron that awaits Ireland in their Six Nations opener with France this Friday evening.

It is Ireland's first game since the disappointing World Cup quarter-final defeat to the All Blacks last year and he has backed the Munster duo to certainly be more prepared for the contest than he was on his own debut in the competition.

"I let the occasion get to me, admitted the former Munster and Ireland out half. "I was a bag of nerves. I was a wreck. That was probably par for the course at the time but 25 years later it’s a very different set up. These guys are way more advanced in terms of preparation, nutrition and psychological aspects of the game.

"What I like about Jack Crowley is that I don't get the impression that he isn't going to leave the seat available for someone. I think he has that element of confidence in him, yet a lot of humility in him.

"What is so important at test level is that he doesn’t let his mistakes eat away at his mindset so he will continue to back his decisions and ask questions of the defence. I think that will stand him well. In that position, you are only going to get better with the more minutes you play."

O'Gara tried to sign Crowley a couple of years ago and joked that his fellow Cork man is the only one to ever say no to him with regard to signing for the current European champions.

"I could just see it. It’s probably like me giving an opinion on a prop. I don’t have any legitimacy to do that. When I see a 10, I can understand what’s involved and can see it straight away. It was just something that jumped out at me that made me say yeah, i like that guy, get him."

O'Gara also has high hopes for Nash, who he believes has exactly what is needed to flourish in the test arena. "He has been consistently good and I think that’s what players do.

"When you’re not in the team, you have to do more than the incumbent. In this case, there is obviously an injury so there is an opening for someone. He has been very good for Munster.

"I think his game will suit the test game. He is very brave and nowadays if your wingers are brave, it adds so much to the team."

O'Gara added that he will not be able to attend the game in Marseille as La Rochelle will be preparing for a Top 14 fixture with Montpellier on Saturday but will be keenly watching what he thinks will be 'an unbelievable game'.

"I think that, maybe with a bit of hindsight, they feel they have more to offer with the ball and I would be agreeing with that," said on the current French team.

"They are very, very dangerous. They have a lot of threats all over the park. It’s fascinating about a lot of x factors against a cohesive, structured, unbelievably fit, well drilled Irish team."

On Ireland's World Cup exit, he said the following "Disappointing with the leg up Ireland gave New Zealand. You can’t let them go 13-0 up. It’s a big lead. Ireland were undeniably close to them.

"But giving that quality of team too much belief in that type of game is huge. That’s what they will probably regret. Everything else was good but you can’t give that start."

Guinness, the official sponsors of the Guinness Six Nations, has enlisted Irish Rugby legend and La Rochelle Head Coach Ronan O’Gara to deliver a rousing team talk ahead of Ireland Men’s opening fixture against France in Marseille on February 2nd.

Not your typical pep talk for the players and delivered in Ronan’s unique French - Cork English dialect, he gives a playful yet passionate call to the people of Ireland to seize ‘l’opportunité’ and get together with friends at home, in the pub or in the stadium, for 13 weeks of rugby across the Guinness Men’s Six Nations and Guinness Women’s Six Nations Championships.

 Guinness is providing fans with the ‘l’opportunité’ to win exclusive, money-can’t-buy prizes, including match tickets and unique match-day experiences as part of the Guinness Giveaway. To enter, click here.