Ireland – World Cup Update

Ireland have qualified for the World Cup quarter finals after a 16-9 win over Italy. In the immediate aftermath of the game , everyone had forgotten that we had qualified for another World Cup quarter final and everyone focused in on what wasn’t achieved and that was the complete performance.

Firstly there were a number of good aspects to yesterday’s performance , the scrum was a key aspect of yesterday and the work that was seen in the past 2 years has come good at the right time. The line out worked out but thanks to some good Italian defending and poor execution the driving maul hasn’t work out.

 The maul has been a key aspect of good Irish play since Joe Schmidt took over. First it was John Plumtree that got the Irish maul going forward. He left the job and was replaced by Simon Easterby. This aspect of Irish play has failed to spark and it has weakened the Irish game plan.

On a number of occasions during the first three group games Ireland have tried to use the maul and to no great avail in the early games of this World Cup. To my mind this particular facet of Irish play needs to be looked at and worked on to get it back to where it was when Ireland won the 2014 and 2015 Six Nations.

In attack at times Ireland look like a team that could cut loose at any moment but they have only shown glimpses of the attacking threat that they possess. Ireland can beat France next week they have beaten France on the last 4 occasions and these wins should be used as the blue print to gain victory in Cardiff next Sunday.

Ireland have booked a place in the last 8 at this World Cup and will face either New Zealand or Argentina in a Quarter Final on Saturday or Sunday fortnight. If Ireland have proven one thing in recent years under Joe Schmidt , it is that they can perform when the heat is on. Beating Australia and South Africa in consecutive weeks in November 2014 proves that this squad can do it when it matters most.

Ireland have to break down another key barrier and that is win a Quarter Final and progress to a first ever Semi Final. That talk is for after the game against France next Sunday. Win, lose or draw Ireland will still need to create history if they are to get to a Semi Final.

By

Cian Mc Gibney

05/10/2015.