Interview with Ulster head coach Mark Anscombe

What did you think of Paddy Jackson’s, Craig Gilroy’s and Luke Marhsall’s performances in the 6 Nations?

They’re all young players, all under the age of 22 and they’ve got a long way to go to fulfil their potential. I think they equipped themselves reasonably well in the 6 Nations and gained some good experience, especially considering some of the disappointments from results in games they were in. But they showed their ability to bounce back and perform so I believe all three of them have good futures.

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Do you think all three of them will be become first team players in the future, are they showing enough potential at the moment?

Yes I think so; I’m assuming that their potential was one of the reasons why they got those opportunities in the 6 Nations. But now it’s about how they keep growing and learning from those experiences which will then determine how long they stay there or if they cement their position in the first team.  Obviously there is still a long way to go for them and it will be interesting to see how they progress.

Do you think Irish rugby (internationally) has a bright future ahead considering the players that are starting to come through?

I think when you look at some of the players emerging from all four provinces in Ireland there is some very good talent coming through. Recently they’ve had some serious problems with injuries and as would any team in their position, the length of depth in the squad is going to be tested. But I think when they put their best fifteen out on the pitch I think they’ve got an outstanding group of players for the future.

Do you think Ireland blood youngsters into the first team regularly enough?

I’m not involved in the team so it wouldn’t be fair to criticize or support what they do, so it’s hard for me to give an answer. Everyone has their own way of doing things but it’s not a perfect world and you’re forced into issues with injuries and a lack of depth. There may be the right intentions in place to blood in a few youngsters but circumstances determine that he has to be forced into the first team earlier than you expected.

End of an era for Ireland?

Last week I previewed Ireland’s game against France, and said that I believed there was still many reasons for Ireland to show what they can do despite not being able to win the tournament.

A week on, and a defeat to France in Dublin, you could argue that there are now even more reasons for Ireland to put in a performance in their last fixture against Italy.

Or, is it the end of an era for Ireland?

Should they try and move on from what has been a shambles of a tournament?

Last week, battered and bruised, Brian O’Driscoll soldiered on to play the remaining minutes against France. The crowd looked on with anguish, as it seemed the sun was finally beginning to set on what has been a legendary career for the outside centre.

Even wife Amy Huberman began to cry, as he trudged off the field, head down, the thought of retirement weighing heavy on his mind.

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Though with that said, the 34 year-old has maintained that he will not make a decision on his retirement until the end of the season.

If the Irish can take anything from this tournament, it’s that, the possibility that he may take to the field of the Aviva stadium and grace the fans with his talent yet again.

However when the time comes and O’Driscoll does decide to hang up his boots, will it signal the end of an era for Ireland as they start to blood more and more youngsters into the national team.

It’s been seen already this tournament, as a host of new faces have earned their first cap. Craig Gilroy, Simon Zebo and Paddy Jackson to name a few.

And to be fair to them, they’ve performed quite well, so the future could look fairly bright despite the absence of one of Ireland’s best ever players.

Although to produce someone talented as O’Dricoll has been down the years will take something special.

Gilroy, who has shown glimpses of what he can do, (one being his try against Scotland) could well be on his way to becoming a good player for Ireland and I’m sure any Irish fan would be delighted if he grew to become half the player O’Driscoll was.

And Gilroy has the opportunity to display his talents again this weekend as Ireland take on Italy, a team they would have been confident of beating prior to the tournament. Maybe not so much now.

If Ireland are to regain any sort of pride from this tournament, they have one last chance to do it. They need to beat Italy and beat them well.

Last week could have been O’Dricoll’s last performance in front a home crowd. Could this weekend prove to be his last in an Ireland shirt?