All about game time and winning

FOR some it’s a match to get out of the way, for others it could be the entirety of their World Cup campaign.

Ireland’s game against Russia tomorrow morning will strike a different chord for different players. Touring and tournaments are all about playing and ultimately winning.

Making the cut for a World Cup squad is an achievement in itself, but ultimately meaningless if not accompanied by game time. Just ask Stephen Ferris. Four years ago he was part of Eddie O’Sullivan’s squad in France and received his specially commissioned World Cup cap like the rest of the players. However, he was never part of a match day squad and spent the tournament agonising from the sidelines like the rest of us. That commemorative cap means nothing to him. At least he has fulfilled his dream with two starts in this tournament and a night he will never forget after his heroics in Eden Park against Australia.