
Rugby
Share
Published 11:55 23 Mar 2015 GMT
Updated 13:27 23 Mar 2015 GMT
Explore more on these topics:
I think it sets us up really well for the World Cup. You always look at the positives in any loss - the defeat to Wales might prove to be a blessing in disguise.BOD was fearful that if Ireland won the Grand Slam, that the expectations from the fans might have hindered their performances in the World Cup. However, he still thinks that the nation has high hopes for the team in England next year, but he backs the players to cope with it.
In Ireland, we don't do middle ground, we're either top of the pile or bottom of the heap. If we had won the Grand Slam, going into the World Cup, there would have been an absolutely insane amount of pressure on the boys. That being said, we've won the Six Nations and there's still going to be that pressure and that level of expectation. But it's been a little bit tempered by the fact we did lose in Cardiff, so hopefully it gives us an opportunity to slip in a fraction more under the radar.O'Driscoll reiterated his faith in the side, particularly in their clinical game plan, and added that if they can keep a clean bill of health, the fans can expect the Boys In Green to go very far in the competition.
We're playing with a huge amount of confidence, we've got a very distinct understanding of what our strategy is and what our game plan is, and everyone's singing off the same hymn sheet. If we can be fortunate with not losing too many players to injury I don't see why we can't find ourselves in a semi-final - all bets are off when you get to that point.Hat-tip to BBC
New Leinster head coach and Clare All-Ireland winning captain shaped by same man
Fascinating! There has been joy recently in Leinster circles, with the popular Noel McNamara in line to take over as head coach from Leo Cullen next season. The Bordeaux-Begles attack coach has previously worked with underage Leinster sides, been head coach of the Ireland U20s, and backs coach with South African side the Sharks, before […]
Rugby
6h
Ireland coach says Gavin Coombes will be called up to squad after ‘groin-grab’ controversy
Good to hear! The dust is finally beginning to settle, following the ‘groin-grab’ controversy, which saw Munster’s Gavin Coombes allege that he was grabbed by Leinster’s Tadhg Furlong, during their match two weeks ago. Furlong was subsequently cleared by a URC disciplinary commission, with Munster Interim CEO Avan Lee releasing a statement backing Coombes and criticising […]
Rugby
9h
Rugby
Four key places in Ireland’s November squad that are up for grabs
Rugby