WHEN England won the World Cup in 2003, Clive Woodward, the then coach of the side, told his players that “no one should know if they are secure in their place on the team”. Sir Clive was a mastermind at getting competition for places on his team. Even if some contests were not even that close. Players believed they had a shot.
As Ireland prepare for this year’s World Cup, Ireland coach Declan Kidney, himself a mastermind of player morale, has shown that there is still some serious competition for a seat on the plane.
Last weekend’s dull clash with Scotland was more due to rustiness of some players coupled with a fear of making a mistake.
Just when fans and pundits alike thought they had their 30 man squad named in their heads, Coach Kidney has decided this week to release Marcus Horan, Mick O’Driscoll, Peter Stringer, Niall Ronan and Damien Varley back to Munster for their game in France.
Does this release mean that these players are out of contention? Not for a minute. What it does mean is that all five will have some game time under their belts before they return to camp next week.
Ireland face France this Saturday night in the second of their warm up games. It seems as though Kidney will once more pick a mix and match side for this one. Indeed the team will be a little stronger compared to last weekend, as the opposition alone would dictate this.
Ronan O’Gara should start at 10, alongside Murray or Reddan. If Brian O’Driscoll is passed fit this week, then he should play. Fans can also expect to see Healy, Heaslip, Bowe and O’Connell all feature at some stage also.
If the World Cup team was to be named today, the man on the street could possibly name 12 of the 15 starters. Barring injury, many believe that hooker, scrum half and full back are the only positions open for debate. This however, is not the case. Kidney has gone on record as stating that all players, when match fit, will be considered. The loss of one or two players to injury between now and the World Cup is a sad reality. Who will be ready to fill in.
With a squad now bursting with Heineken Cup medals in their pockets, Kidney goes into this World Cup off the back of four European titles in five years and of course, a Grand Slam.
The difference between 2007 and 2011 is that the players in camp believe that they have a chance of breaking into the side.
In what looks to be as competitive a squad as there is out there, Ireland can only benefit from this hard warm up series.
It’s France away this weekend. France at home the following, before a clash with the old enemy England at the Aviva. Throw in another warm up game against Connacht and who knows who will be on the plane. Exciting times.
Ireland’s game this Saturday is on RTE2 at 19.15
