Ireland win reflects growing confidence
Ronan O’Gara believes Ireland’s players have the measure of their English counterparts following Saturday’s latest Twickenham triumph.
Ireland recorded their third consecutive win over the world champions courtesy of a last-gasp Shane Horgan try, and O’Gara is adamant the latest victory is further evidence the men in green have nothing to fear from England any more.
“I don’t think there was anyone in the dressing room who was surprised that we had beaten England,” the 29-year-old fly-half said.
“That’s four out of six for a lot of us since we came in 2000.
“We’d have been very disappointed if we hadn’t beaten them, but at the same time it was away from home and with their backs against the wall, so obviously the lads are happy.”
The Munster stand-off – who contributed 13 points to his team’s cause – is adamant Ireland now have a group of players their nation can be proud of.
He criticised the pre-match media analysis of the two teams, which was perceived in the Ireland camp as being pro-England.
“Some people think that maybe the English players are better than the Irish players but I don’t think that for a minute,” he said.
“There’s quality in our team all over the park. I suppose the fact some major television companies are based in England means that some of the English players are blown up a little bit into something they aren’t.
“You look at the quality we have all over the pitch – I couldn’t be happier with the players I’ve got around me.
“There’s huge satisfaction because some times people don’t recognise there are some quality players in green too, they’re just happier to pick out their weaknesses.
“But we’ve shown that our strengths outweigh our weaknesses.”
O’Gara singled out the performance of match-winning winger Horgan, whose late try sealed a dramatic 28-24 success for Eddie O’Sullivan’s men.
“Shaggy’s (Horgan) an incredible finisher. I don’t think anybody on the pitch apart from him would have scored that last try,” O’Gara said.
“It was an exceptional score and he probably still had a foot to spare so huge credit must go to him.
“It was one of the most important tries he’ll ever have scored.”
