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Rugby Union

Easterby to delay retirement

02/01/2008

Simon Easterby has given a boost to fans of Irish rugby by signalling his intent to help the national side recover from their disastrous World Cup.

The flanker was thought likely to retire after the tournament but has today professed his willingness to help coach Eddie O'Sullivan mount a challenge for the upcoming Six Nations championship.

A much-fancied Ireland failed to reach the quarter-finals in France but following a wide-ranging review, Easterby believes the decision to keep O'Sullivan in charge was a correct one.

"Eddie has been successful in his six years in charge," the Llanelli Scarlets captain told the Guardian newspaper.

"The review resolved a number of issues and ensures we will be stronger going forward. It was a better way of doing things than Wales, who simply sacked their coach in a knee-jerk reaction immediately after being knocked out of the World Cup."

He added: "The bottom line is that we let ourselves down in France. The players have to take responsibility for the way we played, which was well below our potential. We were on a high after last year's Six Nations but failed to follow it through. We learned a lot about ourselves and I want to carry on."

Easterby added that the only Six Nations side who "lived up to their reputation" was England, with Brian Ashton's men overcoming poor form in the group stage to reach the final in Paris, only to lose 15-6 to South Africa.