Injury-free Zebo zeroes in on World Cup squad

Simon Zebo is targeting a place in Joe Schmidt’s Ireland squad for next year’s World Cup.

Zebo has been on the periphery of the national side since Schmidt took charge but hopes to change that trend, now that a run of injuries is in the past.

“In the last two years I’ve had two broken feet, which has put a dent in my progress internationally,” Zebo admitted. “I’d like to have a lot more caps than I already do.

“But that’s rugby, that’s what you sign up for, and I’m just happy to be back in the fold now and have a shot at next year’s World Cup.”

There is a perception that Zebo’s approach to life and rugby mightn’t fit in too well with Schmidt. But Zebo prefers to emphasise the positives in the relationship.

“Joe gave me a few things to work on,” he revealed. “It’s just all about dealing into this season, we don’t have to look back.

“It’s about how we can lead into next season and the November series. It’s just all about gathering momentum for the World Cup.”

Zebo’s defence has been heavily criticised, sometimes justifiably, sometimes not so.

And this is an area where Schmidt’s influence will assuredly rub off on a man only too willing to learn all he can.

“Around the tackle area and things like that on the Argentine tour, I think it went well”, he said. “It’s about getting that one per cent better. He was happy with the tour and the main thing is we won it.

“I got a few congratulations off him, so I’m happy with that. I just have to keep playing well with Munster. As long as I keep doing that, then I’ll let the green jersey take care of itself. I’ve just got to keep playing well in red.