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Ex-Ireland great blasts 'arrogant' Ireland claim in 49-word post
By Ian Cameron
Former Ireland flanker turned pundit Stephen Ferris has poured cold water on recent suggestions from sections of the rugby media that Ireland have slipped into arrogance.
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Various British media outlets have accused Ireland of being arrogant ahead of their Six Nations clash with Wales in Cardiff, driven largely by comments from an Irish radio segment suggesting Ireland could beat Wales with fewer players or even using their Under-20s.
In a Telegraph opinion piece headlined “Irish arrogance is becoming hard to ignore”, James Corrigan wrote: “Ireland received nothing out of it [the Off the Ball segment] but the bolstering of a perception that does their heroes no favours.
“A senseless sneering snippet placed on top of an ever-expanding charge sheet of conceit…Of course, OTB does not represent rugby on the island, and fair dues to those writers experienced enough to remember when they were the championship whipping boys and for quickly pointing this out.
He goes on to write: “Alas, the stench of cockiness lingers ever more strongly and there seems an emerging fear that during the rise into the game’s elite echelons a former reputation has been sacrificed. Collective contempt is not a pretty look, especially among a fan base who previously added so much genuine humour and bonhomie to the occasion.”
Stephen Ferris isn’t having it.
In a tweet posted on his official account, the former Ulster back-row took aim at the arrogance label by highlighting Ireland’s dominance on the field over recent seasons.
“Reading a lot this morning about Ireland now being arrogant..(Welsh media),” Ferris wrote. “Won 18 of your last 20 games in the Six Nations and have scored on average over 4 tries a game, and beating Wales by more than 20 in last three encounters.. being good must make you arrogant..”
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Ferris’s remarks come as Ireland seek to maintain their formidable run in Six Nations. Under head coach Andy Farrell and now Simon Easterby, the side have consistently produced strong performances, dispatching opponents with a flair and consistency not seen by Irish teams of past eras.
Some Welsh commentators, particularly following Ireland’s string of hefty victories over Wales, have taken Ireland’s self-assurance as a sign of complacency or haughtiness. This afternoon, the Welsh have their opportunity to serve Ireland a slice of humble pie.
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The remarkable thing about Irish media coverage in the build up to the Welsh match was how empathetic, considerate and thoughtful it was to the plight of Wales. The fact that British (and Irish) media chose to highlight the one broadcast cracking a joke at Wales rather than the (pretty remarkable) scores that were considerate etc. shows that there is more clicks in accusations of “arrogance” than in telling the truth: Ireland’s media and fanbase were more considerate of Wales than any 6 nations rivals before a match possibly in 6 nations history.
The idea of a Welsh pundit accusing ANYONE else of arrogance is laughable for anyone who has ever lost to Wales and had their ears warmed with the gloating. It was all in good humour then and Welsh folk can give as well as take with a smile. But this ‘Irish Arrogance’ tripe is getting old now and has no substance compared with the counter argument.