So it seems that the IRFU may not be as daft as they look to the outside world. Or at least they could be seeing the error of their ways in forking out a four year contract to “our Eddie” before the disaster that was the world cup.

Immediately in the aftermath of the “pool of death” where we didn’t show up against the minnows, let alone Les Bleus and the Argies, the IRFU stated in no uncertain terms that they would honour Eddie’s new contract and that his job was safe. Tammy Wynette would have been proud.

And while international rugby boards around the world were dropping their head coaches like hot potatoes the IRFU made their bed and climbed in with O’Sullivan. All was well and we resigned ourselves to another four years with the same coach, and team if his previous selections are anything to go by.

But, low and behold, today the first cracks in the relationship seem to have appeared. The big cheese of Irish rugby, Philip Browne, has claimed that the IRFU “will not be held to ransom by contracts or anything else”. While not exactly ground breaking in itself, the sentiment seems to point to a little domestic argy bargy in the IRFU ranks. He goes on to say:

“I think we must sit down in the cold light of day and once the dust has settled actually do a professional review of the team logistics, medical fitness, players and coaching staff and the administration. We will make an assessment then.”

That’s more like it. Never mind a U-turn, I get the feeling we could be seeing a “big illegal three point turn on a busy motorway” soon. Has anyone got Eddie Jones’ phone number?

Your response: