“It’s true that New Zealand don’t like playing France in the World Cup, but we are sticking to our goal of finishing first in the group by beating Italy, Romania, Canada and above all Ireland, so that we play Argentina afterwards”, he said.
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Then the potential group decider comes against France on October 11.
There was a hug from fan Jennifer Malone for Cian Healy, after the loosehead prop was Monday given the all clear to play following a persistent nerve problem had prevented him from taking any part in Ireland’s four warm-up games.
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“It’s a very special occasion, I’ve been lucky enough that I haven’t been injured when the World Cup come around and this will be my fourth one”.
Ireland nearly certainly were flattered by their ranking at No.2, behind the All Blacks; equally No.6 seemingly does not do them justice, and the team and their supporters are right to consider England 2015 is their best shot yet at a Rugby World Cup glory.
“So it’s a huge honour to be able to represent Ireland now, there’s a lot of expectation, I’ll do my job the best I can and hopefully we can make people happy”.
Before the Rugby World Cup kicks off at Twickenham on Friday, we ask you for your tournament prediction.
For last November he gritted his teeth and sat up in the coaching staff box at Lansdowne Road to oversee Ireland beat Australia before being rushed to hospital with appendicitis.
“You can’t put a game on that, or base it on how far we want to get”.
“They were in Canada, then they suddenly got a chance in a daily, professional training environment and you can see the strides they have made”.
“I think there’s probably a little bit in the performances in the last few years to back up the case that Ireland will do well”, said Leamy, a two-time Heineken Cup victor with Munster.
At first glance, double Six Nations champions Ireland look likely to walk Pool D having beaten France
18-11 at home in February’s tournament.
“Avoiding someone like New Zealand would be a massive help”.
“While it might not be so exciting to watch, with the high ball to the fore, but in their half-back combination (Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton) they’ve probably got the most settled game-management team”.
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He also took over a side that was demoralised after a woeful 2013 Six Nations campaign – and in good headmasterly style, a post he occupied in New Zealand, just as he had done at Leinster he whipped them into shape.
