Hickie hopes patience will pay off in World Cup bid

IF Denis Hickie is slightly apprehensive about his participation in Ireland’s pre-World Cup friendly against Italy at Thomond Park on Saturday, he is also wildly excited about an international comeback after a four month long rehabilitation programme.

A thigh injury kept Hickie sidelined for much longer than he anticipated, despite medical opinion predicting the lengthy layoff.

The obvious frustration and serious worry (that he might not make the 30-man World Cup squad) were to the forefront of his thoughts.