Eddie O'Sullivan has come out fighting despite increasing speculation over the Ireland coach's future.
Irish coach comes out fighting over his tenure
Eddie O'Sullivan has come out fighting despite increasing speculation over the Ireland coach's future.
Ireland travel to Twickenham on Saturday for a clash that could potential spell the end of the reign of the losing coach - with O'Sullivan and his counterpart Brian Ashton coming under mounting pressure.
Defeat for Ireland would see them suffer their worst championship since 1999 - and after they appalling World Cup, a stuttering performance against Italy and a slump to eighth in the world rankings, O'Sullivan hold on the top job could become even more perilous.
However, O'Sullivan has defended his record in charge, which has seen the Irish win three Triple Crowns in four years.
"Here's a statistic - in the four years between World Cups Ireland are second only to France in terms of the number of Six Nations wins accumulated," he said.
"In fact France have won only two more Six Nations matches than Ireland between 2004 and 2007. The Six Nations is where we set our stall.
"I don't see the Irish Rugby Football Union's policy of wanting to win every Six Nations match changing. In that context we've picked the best possible team to play England.
"And whatever happens at Twickenham Ireland will still be second only to France in Six Nations wins after five championships.
Frustrating
"Given those statistics of course it's frustrating to not have more to show for them.
"In the best-case scenario you want to be entering the final weekend of the Six Nations playing for a Grand Slam or title and then a Triple Crown.
"But when you lose two games those are all but gone. It's still the Six Nations and there's still much to play for.
"There's no question of doing anything other than trying to get a win against England."
O'Sullivan has spent nearly a decade working with the national side, having been the backs coach under previous chief Warren Gatland.
Howver, the 49-year-old has dismissed suggestions that the side has gone stale after so long in charge.
"The team has changed so I'm probably the only constant here over the last six or seven years," he said.
"Teams go through cycles - players come and go, combinations change, players retire. You can't say the team is getting stale because it's changing.
"So the question is can I keep the team working and fresh? That's the challenge facing me and there are varying opinions on.
"My position is, 'Absolutely', I'm very happy to do the job and I believe I can.
"The ups and down in the business means these sort of questions will crop up but that's understandable.
"The situation is as long as I'm doing the job and comfortable to do it, then I'm happy to carry on. The players are happy and that's the key issue because that means we can progress and continue."
