'Down day' Down Under for Irish Team

Today’s designated "down day" for the Ireland squad began with a work-out, with forwards coach Niall O’Donovan bringing his troops to the Melbourne Girls College where the basketball arena imitated the conditions in which Ireland will play France in Sunday’s quarter-final at the Telstra Stadium.

A key feature of Ireland’s success so far has been at the line-out, where O’ Donovan’s astute coaching has resulted in Paul O’Connell, Malcolm O’Kelly and co defeating their opposites and giving Ireland a critical edge.

The upshot is that O’Connell, who celebrated his 24th birthday earlier in the tournament, is being heralded as “the young line-out star” of the World Cup.

O’Donovan’s contribution as forwards’ coach and specialist line-out tactician is gaining widespread recognition, adding to the general sense of acceptance that Ireland, as a world force, are being afforded.

After a one-hour session – while the backs held a meeting at their down town hotel under the direction of assistant coach Declan Kidney – it was a day at leisure for the Irish squad members.

Largely speaking it was a day of R&R for the 22-man squad involved in the match against France, while some of those not directly concerned in the game enjoyed some horse racing on Ladies Day at the Melbourne Cup festival!

Ireland also did some training indoors in their build-up to the Australia match last Saturday when they demonstrated that playing under a closed roof did not stifle their style.

Answering a question about whether the firm footing and still conditions under the Telstra Dome would give France the advantage, Ireland coach Eddie O’Sullivan said that his team had the ball skills to take on the best. He said: “In the past, the weather was the great equaliser between Ireland and the more flamboyant teams.

“We’ve been trying to shake off the tag of being a monsoon rugby team” O’ Sullivan said.

“The rugby we played last Saturday night was as good as Australia played and they’re a top of the ground team.”