O'Sullivan may pay for mediocrity

Eddie O'Sullivan has been gambled into just 11/4 to be out of his job as Ireland coach by the start of the 2008 Six Nations after one bookmaker saw a lot of money for him after Ireland's limp display against France in the pool stages.

O'Sullivan, who signed a new four-year deal prior to the start of the tournament oversaw a disappointing week's preparation in the Ireland camp - having to fend off rumours of unrest and personal difficulties with his fly-half Ronan O'Gara - which ended in a humiliating 25-3 defeat by the French in Paris. Because of the lacklustre showing and a lack of any attacking edge to the men from the Emerald Isle punters have been quick to seize on uncertainty surrounding O'Sullivan's role.

The coach, who has one eye on being in charge of the next Lions tour, has complete autonomy over the team and due to the poor performances which saw the side narrowly beat Georgia and struggle to put away Namibia the feeling is that the buck must stop with him. Indeed the tournament has been overshadowed thus far by the constant need to fed the press positive spin and to make sure the team are all following the party line.

So much has been concentrated on performance off the pitch that the team have forgotten how to perform on it. Add to the fact that they were underprepared coming into the tournament due to a lack of match practise and O'Sullivan could well be sweating over his future.

David Williams of Ladbrokes said: "O'Sullivan's new contract may count for nothing if the pressure continues to mount. The squad seems to be plagued by low morale."

By contrast England's improved performance against Samoa, indeed they managed to beat them more convincingly than they did in World Cup winning year, has seen Brian Ashton's odds of leaving his post drift to 7/4.

"We'd been 5/6 about Ashton losing his job but punters weren't that interested. He's now likely to take his team into next year regardless of what happens next," said Williams.

Will they keep their jobs for the 2008 Six Nations? Frank Hadden 4/11 yes, 2/1 no; Eddie O'Sullivan 1/4 yes, 11/4 no, Brian Ashton 2/5 yes, 7/4 no, Gareth Jenkins 4/9 yes 13/8 no. (Ladbrokes)

(Editor's Note: Ireland went into the World Cup as genuine contenders. They look like leaving at the pool stage so should O'Sullivan pay with his job? Follow all the latest rugby betting on Ladbrokes!)