Rugby: Kirwan rates Irish upstarts

HE MAY be the only World Cup medallist in attendance at tomorrow’s Six Nations clash between Ireland and Italy, but former New Zealand winger John Kirwan has a keen eye for quality and no inhibitions in talking up the Irish as one of the best sides in the world — especially after what he witnessed in Twickenham.

The former All-Black winner, who helped New Zealand to success in the inaugural World Cup tournament 17 years ago, was one of the greatest players to grace the international stage, representing his country 63 times.

Kirwan's open-minded philosophy about the outcome of the Northern Hemisphere championship is refreshing, for the affable Kiwi secretly hopes Ireland win on the basis that it will keep the competition alive.