It's funny what time does to opinions.
One day you could think that . This season, Connacht have been the team in Irish Rugby to change most people's opinions. There are going to be people who claimed they always saw this coming, and there will be stubborn grinches who say it's only a temporary thing.
George Hook isn't one to change his opinions often, but this one is one about face turn of the highest order.
Exactly 28 months ago, in Pat Lam's first season in charge - Hook called for the plug to be pulled on Connacht. This was after the historic win in Toulouse in their last foray into the top tier of European Rugby. Connacht had gone to Allianz Park with a chance of reaching the quarter-finals - only to be hammered by Saracens 64-6. Hook's take on Connacht and their coach was this (source):
Spare a thought for Connacht. The win in Toulouse is now consigned to the other one-off performances in the province's history.
With a debt of almost a million euro, an average coach and an even more average squad, the future is bleak. Economic reality may bite and as was always the sensible option, Ireland should have just three professional teams.
Well, the future certainly didn't turn out the way Mr. Hook predicted. And in a fairytale story more unlikely that Leicester winning the Premier League - Hook is actually calling for this 'average coach' to succeed Joe Schmidt as the next Ireland boss:
The solution to Schmidt's inevitable departure - he's not planning on sticking around forever - is staring us all in the face.
Lam is already a wanted man on the back of three impressive years in Connacht, with Bath among his many suitors. He should be given an opportunity to transfer his skills to the national squad.
Hook goes on the charm offensive praising Lam for his time with Connacht, and to be fair - he's exactly right in his praise:
Pat Lam's penchant for substance and flair has rubbished the idea that Irish rugby cannot be attractive to watch and successful at the same time.
Hook, himself a former Connacht coach, has rarely given out so much praise to anyone for any reason - but you can almost feel his enthusiasm for his old team in his Irish Independent column.
Perhaps its apt that when Hook is admitting that he got something so wrong, that we see him in a new light - and we are agreeing with his logical points that he is putting forward.
Credit where it's due, and Hook deserves some for this.
See Also: Jared Payne Responds To George Hook's 'Second Rate Foreign Player' Jibe
Picture credit: David Maher / SPORTSFILE
