O'Connor can ride out storm

London Wasps flanker Jonny O'Connor looks certain to win his first cap against South Africa in Dublin in seven weeks' time.

That significant achievement for the Irishman is made even more impressive bearing in mind the cold war that has existed between Wasps director of rugby Warren Gatland and the man who replaced him as Ireland coach, Eddie O'Sullivan.

The pair have not spoken since Gatland left Ireland - a fact that can hardly help O'Connor's cause.

But O'Sullivan was at Wasps on Sunday to watch a man-of-the-match performance by O'Connor - now fully recovered from his Achilles injury - and bridles at suggestions that the personality clash with Gatland is going to harm the former Connacht flanker's chances.

O'Sullivan said: "Warren has said no one went to see Jonny play and that was completely false. I went to see Wasps play two games last season and I saw them in the first game of this season, against Saracens, except they didn't announce my arrival with bells and whistles.

"We just go about our business quietly. Jonny has been watched and he is being watched. Anyone who is in the frame wants to get picked and if they don't get picked they might fall into the conspiracy theory very easily. But I always pick what I think is the best back row."

Gatland knew O'Sullivan was in the ground but did not seek him out and said: "I haven't spoken to him since I left the Ireland job. I am confident that when Jonny is back up to full speed he will be the Lions open side in New Zealand next summer.

"From a Wasps point of view, I hope the Irish selectors aren't too keen on him this season!"

Keith Gleeson, the regular Ireland open-side flanker, is injured which is why O'Connor is causing such interest across the Irish Sea.