Six Nations Win, World Cup 2015 Success??
Can the 2014 Six Nations win be the spring board to a successful World Cup campaign. One would like to think it will be. Can Ireland build on the Title win from this year, they have a two match tour of Argentina in June for which I would be of the opinion of leaving most if not all of our big test stars at home and bringing some of the young talent that we have in each of the Provinces.
After the two test tour in Argentina , it is then two of the big three in November along with a test against Georgia, which of course will bring back memories of the game at the 2007 World Cup where a late Peter Stringer try saw Ireland home by 14-10. Joe Schmidt has done a wonderful job making this team, this squad a far more mentally strong side which was in evidence against New Zealand and against all the sides during the Six Nations with the exception of England who themselves are building a good young side backboned by some fine young talent and by 2015 they should be ready for their home World Cup and also ready to launch an attack on the trophy they won back in 2003.
Ireland have now got some great strength in depth in all departments , in the front row , behind Healy and Ross you now have Mc Grath,Archer,Moore,Kilcoyne and Cronin also in the second row along with Toner , you now have Mc Carthy , Foley , Henderson to name just three even in these two positions you can now see the Strength in Depth that both Provincial coaches and National coaches have always longed for.
The players that missed out on selection during this campaign also shows that when players get left out there are able deputies at every turn. Ferris,Zebo,Fitzgerald,Marmion,Keatley,Payne,Paul Marshall just to name 7 players that were not involved either through injury or non selection. This again shows the strength in depth that has never been in Irish rugby before.
To this end we can look forward to the 2014/2015 season with real optimism. Here is my team to start the 2015 World Cup.
15. R. Kearney
14.T. Bowe
13. J.Payne
12. L.Marshall
11.L.Fitzgerald
10.J. Sexton
9. C. Murray
8.R. Copeland
7.S. O Brien
6. P. O Mahony
5. P. O Connell
4. D. Ryan
3.M. Ross
2.R. Best
1.C. Healy.
This is a team that could start the 2015 World Cup. You can add the likes of Keith Earls,Robbie Henshaw to that list so what this will prove is that Ireland if they put in the same level of performance next season that they have done this year the rewards are massive. Six Nations Champions 2014,World Cup Champions 2015 , it does have a nice ring to it, we can dream can’t we!!
By
Cian Mc Gibney.
28/03/2014.
