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Ireland are in crisis after two wobbly wins, coach says

Georgia's Malkhaz Urjukashvili, center, collapses into Ireland defenders during their World Cup Group D match on Saturday at the Chaban-Delmas stadium in Bordeaux, France. PHOTO: AFP

Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan says his team was in crisis after two faltering victories in the Rugby World Cup.

Asked on Monday if he agreed with a perception his team was in trouble after spluttering past so-called lightweights Namibia and Georgia in France, O'Sullivan replied: "I can understand that. Yes, I'd describe it as a crisis."

Captain Brian O'Driscoll said he disagreed.

"I think as players we are confident and there is no reason to panic," he said. "There is as much pressure on France as there is on Ireland."

In an attempt to turn around the team's fortunes ahead of a quarter-finals decider with hosts France on Friday, O'Sullivan picked Eoin Reddan to make his World Cup debut in place of out-of-form scrumhalf Peter Stringer.

Reddan, who will start for the first time since June against Argentina for his fourth cap, was among three changes made by O'Sullivan.

Jerry Flannery will wi his 20th cap at hooker replacing Rory Best, who scored a first-half try in the 14-10 win over Georgia on Saturday before dislocating and chipping a bone in his thumb. Best is out for up to three weeks.

Flannery knows the Irish will have to eliminate errors against France after repeatedly dropping and turning over the ball in their first two Pool D matches.

"We just have to stop making mistakes. There is no point going on to the field if we don't cut out our mistakes," he said. "There is no good in keeping dropping the ball."

Winger Andrew Trimble, recovered from a finger injury, was in for Denis Hickie.

Before beating Georgia, Ireland barely fended off Namibia 32-17 in Bordeaux.

France go into Friday's match on the back of their shock opening game defeat by Argentina and a morale-boosting 87-10 thrashing of Namibia in Toulouse.

Ireland, France and Argentina are fighting for top spot in Pool D and a likely quarter-final against either Scotland or Italy.
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