Perhaps the finest World Cup moment in Irish sporting history came against Romania. But, alas for our younger readers, that earth-shattering event took place in Genoa, all of 25 years ago, and not last weekend in Wembley. And the game was soccer...
Still, securing another five-point win over Romania – to follow the similar rogering of Canada – was entirely satisfactory. But whacking two minnows will never be the making of a World Cup campaign. The inevitable also-rans of Pool D were unlikely ever to cause Joe Schmidt’s men any major problems, so the gleeful celebrations of points difference and bonuses gained are rather premature. The greater tests were always lying further on down the road.
Thus, while the opening 160 minutes of Ireland’s campaign have been encouraging, the biggest success wasn’t visible on the scoreboard. Fine, the attitude displayed has been the epitome of ruthless efficiency. But even more important is the fact that injuries have been minimal. Robbie Henshaw’s hamstring troubles are now a thing of the past, while you reckon the training ground slagging over ‘pulling his arse’ will haunt Rob Kearney for far longer than any residual problems with his gluteal muscle.
Cian Healy, meanwhile, has hustled and bustled his way into contention for a starting place, playing almost 80 minutes, across the two games, during which he looked not far off his rampaging best. Whether he has done enough to dislodge the increasingly reliable Jack McGrath is neither here nor there; the strength in depth of having another quality player fit and ready to die for the cause is a major plus.
We have a wealth of options in the second row too. Whether it’s the outstanding form of Iain Henderson, the bullish return of Donnacha Ryan, or the consistency of Devin Toner – who, against Romania, made it clear that he will not go gently into that good night – the once-troubling question of who will partner Paul O’Connell is rendered difficult for a completely different reason. Three into one doesn’t go. Twist Foul Play’s arm and we’d plump for Henderson – who really has looked every inch the star we’ve always suspected he can be. But you wouldn’t lose sleep fielding any of the three contenders.
The back-row and half-back positions decide themselves. Thus, it’s behind the scrum that Joe has the trickiest questions to answer. Indeed from 15 to 11, any number of combinations present themselves, with the abundance of viable choices, having become even greater with the return to form of Tommy Bowe and excellent displays of Keith Earls and Simon Zebo. Nonetheless, Robbie Henshaw’s return should see him resume his partnership in the centre with Jared Payne, with the New Zealander likely to benefit greatly from the Athlone man’s presence. If Payne looks less than convincing, either Luke Fitzgerald or Keith Earls could be handed an opportunity to shine. That leaves the final three positions to be shared between Simon Zebo, Tommy Bowe and the Kearney brothes. None could be deemed undeserving of a spot.
Truly, then, the playing staff are primed and ready. But so too is the tactical plan. There has been, in the two-man clearouts at the breakdown, and the high-functioning set-pieces, something of the well-oiled machine about the Irish play. Add in the training ground moves that have sliced open the (admittedly weak) defences, and there’s plenty to feel positive about as we prepare to face Italy and France. Indeed, there’s little for the Irish to fear. Unless something goes horribly wrong, we have more than enough in our locker to sweep Italy away. And France have not been looking at all like world-beaters.
England, meanwhile, have probably seen any hope of a home triumph demolished by a red wave of Welsh pressure on Saturday, but in truth their demise can be squarely attributed to Chris Robshaw’s decision – in cahoots with kicker Owen Farrell – to eschew an effort at the uprights in favour of an ill-fated catch-and-drive in the dying moments.
This, lest we forget, is not the first time that a Robshaw-Farrell tête-à-tête doomed England to a narrow defeat. Three years ago, trailing South Africa by four points, the kick at goal was considered the best choice; two minutes later, a one point defeat saw captain and kicker being roundly lambasted. A lack of leadership was blamed. Some 34 months later, and they succeed in screwing it up again: plus ça change .
As much as it might seem to be tempting fate to say so, you simply cannot see anything of that type happening to Ireland. In Paul O’Connell, Johnny Sexton, and other senior figures such as Jamie Heaslip and Rory Best, there is a wealth of leadership and maturity within this Irish squad that is the envy of most teams in world rugby.
Indeed, the Springboks might have escaped their humiliation at the hands of Japan if they’d possessed just a smidgeon of that Irish savvy. While caps were duly doffed to the Brave Blossoms, who played with heart, belief and no shortage of quality the South Africans were effectively caught with their pants around their ankles: an undercooked and overconfident side expecting to win at a canter. If Ireland approached their opening games in a similar frame of mind, then they did a hell of a job in hiding it.
On the downside, Sergio Parisse’s return to action has the potential to turn a thus-far underwhelming Italian side into an somewhat different proposition, and the French unit looks a more imposing collective that played in the Six Nations earlier this year. Italy, however, are struggling within the rigid structure of Jacques Brunel’s approach, and look a shadow of the side who’ve sprung upsets before. A solid performance from Ireland’s big men – enough merely to maintain parity up front – should be a platform for victory against the Azzurri , whose defensive frailties were exposed by the Canadians.
France will prove a more difficult assignment, thought the loss of Yoann Huget removes one of their most dangerous attacking threats. Discipline and organisation goes a long way against a team who are prone to errors, while – rare as it might be against a nation famed for champagne rugby – we likely hold the trump cards if it turns into a back-three slugfest. All told then, for just a little while longer, we can continue to dream...
Speaking of dreaming, it would be amiss not to commiserate with GAA footballing lady north of Michelstown, who have once again been left to imagine what it must be like to be from Cork. With their fifth consecutive Brendan Martin Cup – their tenth win in 11 seasons – under their collective oxters (Do women have oxters? - Sub-Ed), the Rebelettes have every right to sneer at the Kilkenny hurlers’ mere eight during the same time-frame. Coupled with the county’s camogie win just a few weeks earlier, it is probably fair to say that the health of Cork’s women could scarcely be ruder. So what’s wrong with blokes from Cork, eh?
Suffering from a castration complex, perhaps...