Easterby tips ‘stronger’ Ireland to reach next level

SIMON EASTERBY believes Ireland has a better-balanced squad than that which contested the World Cup in Australia four years ago.

The Ireland flanker, who led the Llanelli Scarlets to the Heineken Cup semi-finals admitted: “The gap is closing between the strongest and the weakest players. Across the board the competition is a lot stronger. That can only be good, that can only push the side on to hopefully achieve better than we did four years ago.”

Easterby is fully rested and rejuvenated after a heavy season for club and country.

“I had a long season. I enjoyed getting back into the side for the Six Nations, and then obviously the European Cup with Scarlets got cut a little bit short when we lost to Leicester in the semis.

“I really enjoyed last season but the fact we were given the opportunity to stay at home (from Argentina), rest up and get back into some conditioning before the other guys was great.

“It has given us a great opportunity to be in good shape now.

“Physically I feel great and I think all the guys do — even the ones that went on tour. They’ve had a good pre-season, training has stepped up last week in Limerick in terms of the intensity of the contact levels and it’ll be the same again this week. I’m sure the intensity will be at another level leading up to the Scotland game.

“Everyone is chomping at the bit to train and to show what they can do now that they’ve got the ball back in their hands. It’s great, there’s a real enthusiasm in the squad and a few nerves around as well.”

Meanwhile, Argentina centre Gonzalo Tiesi is facing a race against time to be fit for the World Cup.

The London Irish star was part of the Pumas team that defeated a Chile XV 70-14 last Saturday, but had to leave the pitch during the first half with a fractured cheekbone after a clash with team-mate Manuel Contepomi.

He is waiting on a doctor’s report to discover if he can play in the tournament in France next month.

“I’m waiting for the official report to know about my future,” Tiesi said.

“I had some tests after the match and the cheekbone was fractured. On paper, the first diagnosis is positive because I would not have to undergo surgery, but I am still waiting for some specialists to see what they think about this.

“It doesn’t hurt, except for the moment of the blow and some moments after the match. I’m taking this calmly and am waiting to see what happens.

“According to what I have been told, recovery would take three or four weeks, so if I remain in the squad, I wouldn’t have any contact in training during that period.”

Meanwhile, England have called Sale scrum-half Richard Wigglesworth into their training squad as cover for Pete Richards, who is undergoing treatment for acute lower back pain.

Richards suffered the injury at the end of last week and was forced to withdraw from the England bench on Saturday morning, just hours before their record 62-5 victory over Wales.

Wigglesworth was England Saxons’ first-choice scrum-half in their victorious Churchill Cup campaign earlier this summer. He is an accomplished kicker and represented Sale at fly-half and on the wing.

England will have a clearer idea of Richards’ condition as the week goes on but it will be a major frustration for the London Irish scrum half if he is ruled out of Saturday’s Test against France. The Twickenham clash will be the last opportunity for head coach Brian Ashton to look at his squad before naming England’s 30-man World Cup squad on August 14.