Some Ireland players are suffering from a World Cup hangover, could this extend to the Six Nations? This was one of the topics he discussed on today’s Rugby Weekly Extra, a podcast for The 42 subscribers.
Subscriber Nile asked a question to the panel. He wondered if some players, including Kaylan Dorris, Andrew Porter and Jamison Gibson-Park, looked tired and were operating below their normally high level.
“Is it as simple as a hangover from a big event in your life that didn’t go your way?” Murray Kinsella, a 42-year-old rugby journalist, asked Bernard Jackman.
“Yeah, I think so,” said the former Dragons head coach and Irish hooker. “I think psychologically it’s very difficult. They had a little bit of time… But I was disappointed with what happened in the quarter-finals…
“Also, there seems to be a special bond between them. It’s very difficult to recreate the atmosphere in France. They are coming back into the team, especially in Leinster, where things are so fast-paced and they are finding their rhythm. It’s hard to get a connection… One of the things Farrell was very good at was putting similar teams out in back-to-back games. Coming back, the Irish team were pretty settled by the end. Ta.”
Jackman said a rapidly changing state selection is needed to give players opportunities and manage their playing time, but said many players “just look a little bit off.” ” he added.
“There will be some fatigue, but I think it’s more mental than physical. “Look, from a Leinster point of view, they’re going to be in the knockout stages of the Champions Cup, and I think it’s more mental than physical. They will be hoping by the end of the Nations that their players will be flying again.
“But other states will probably need some strong players to perform well in the Champions Cup Rounds 3 and 4 over the next two weeks to get there.”
On the positive side, Kinsella said Andy Farrell is good at “setting the framework for a new campaign and bringing a bit of energy back into the group.”
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