Eddie O'Sullivan, the Genesis Report and the IRFU

But he must introduce fresh new talent to key positions, which invariably means inexperience and risk. This latter imperative jeopardises the former and if Ireland perform as badly as they did in the World Cup, the public and media will pressure the IRFU to dismiss him, regardless of contracts. 

Another concern for O'Sullivan is the outcome of the Genesis report which was compiled by the IRFU based on anonymous feedback from the players about the the World Cup debacle. Genesis didn't unearth any direct criticism of O'Sullivan, nor was a wholesale lack of faith in O'Sullivan publicly revealed, but some of the subliminal findings will concern him. The conditioning of players in preparation for the World Cup was criticised, as was the number of lead-up games organised for the squad as a whole. These were errors in judgement on O'Sullivan's part, which he himself has admitted.

But more importantly, players felt the need for a specialised backs coach. Eddie O'Sullivan first entered the Irish set-up as a backs coach, it's his area of expertise and it would be unnatural for him not to feel some pressure from that outcome. If it was found that he simply had no time to coach the backs because he has been overseeing everything else, that he only needs a hand coaching, then that's ok – he still has the confidence of the players. Otherwise, it could spell trouble. Alan Gaffney's contract with Saracens in the English Premiership is up at the end of the season and he is being touted as the backs coach.

Finally, the players want someone with a history in rugby to take over a management role. They want a manager of a similar ilk to Bryan O'Brien, who played international rugby and had the respect of the players. Mick Galway is being touted for the job.

These appointments will not be made before the Six Nations. A team manager could have been appointed quickly. Someone like Galway knows the players, the structures – he could easily come in to take up the role. Warren Gatland has already asked Shaun Edwards and Rob Howley into the Welsh team. The selection of a backs coach could be more time-consuming to go through the credentials of candidates and to see what they have done in the past. But the IRFU seems reluctant to make changes quickly.

Barring disastrous results this Six Nations, Eddie O'Sullivan will probably come through unscathed. Ireland will probably have a good season and there is some latitude should he try new players and fall short on a couple of results. He also has the excuse that the recommendations of Genesis were not acted upon by the IRFU.