We can win the World Cup, insists Hickie

SOME players will quickly tell you that their World Cup preparations began in the regimental environs of Spala, Poland eight weeks ago, but in glorious sunshine at University of Limerick yesterday, Brian O’Driscoll led 47 Irish hopefuls onto the training ground for the official run-in to France 2007.

With players pronouncing that they’ve never felt fitter, the ball was introduced for the first time at camp, replacing hill running and masochistic days in the gym.

Admitted winger Denis Hickie: “We had our month off as we always do but everything was a bit earlier this year. It was unusual to find yourself away in mid-May because we didn’t have a summer tour, but it was just as unusual to find yourself back in mid June. The only difference with Spala was we went twice instead of once. But this week signals the start of the World Cup as far as our pre-season is concerned. We’ve come in with a good frame of mind.”