Kidney defends warm-up programme

Declan Kidney has defended the fixture list that threatens to send Ireland into the World Cup full of apprehension.

Sun, 21 Aug, 2011 - 14:51

Declan Kidney has defended the fixture list that threatens to send Ireland into the World Cup full of apprehension.

Kidney announces his 30-man squad for the tournament in New Zealand at lunchtime tomorrow confronted by the need to halt a confidence-sapping sequence of results.

Ireland slumped to their third successive defeat with yesterday’s 26-22 mauling by France at the Aviva Stadium.

The loss was emphatic, even if the scoreline suggested otherwise, and compounds the outcome of unsuccessful trips to Edinburgh and Bordeaux.

England complete the arduous four-Test series when they visit Dublin on Saturday.

The logic behind arranging the fixtures was to avoid a repeat of 2007 when Ireland entered the World Cup undercooked, but now they face the very real possibility of departing for New Zealand troubled by the self-doubt that accompanies four consecutive defeats.

Kidney, however, is convinced the schedule is justified on the grounds of establishing match fitness in his players.

“There was a reason why we went for this number of games. I knew we’d need the games. We’re better off for having them,” he said.

“We obviously need to work on the results, there’s no hiding away from that.

“One match is worth about 10 training sessions. We just need more and more of that.”

Much of Ireland’s squad picks itself, though injury concerns over a number of players complicate matters.

David Wallace was withdrawn from the team to face France because of a hamstring strain, but is expected to be fit.

His fellow back row Stephen Ferris, a destructive blindside when fit, is sure to be included after negotiating 20 minutes yesterday.

Hooker Jerry Flannery, who has been dogged by calf injuries for the past year, will also travel after playing 60 minutes across three games so far this month.

The real headache for Kidney comes in the back three where there are several difficult decisions to make.

Geordan Murphy is unlikely to supply back up to Rob Kearney after being picked to play against Connacht in midweek, but the alternatives are few.

Felix Jones suffered a foot injury on his full Test debut yesterday and is a doubt, but his lack of experience makes him a risky selection anyway.

Luke Fitzgerald is out of form and has never convinced in the position, possibly leaving Keith Earls as the alternative.

Lions winger Fitzgerald could be the biggest name casualty, but everything hinges on who Kidney chooses to play second fiddle to Kearney.

Possible Ireland squad for the World Cup:

Props: Mike Ross, Cian Healy, Tom Court, Tony Buckley.

Hookers: Rory Best, Jerry Flannery, Sean Cronin.

Second rows: Paul O’Connell, Donncha O’Callaghan, Leo Cullen, Donnacha Ryan.

Back row: Sean O’Brien, David Wallace, Jamie Heaslip, Stephen Ferris, Denis Leamy.

Scrum-halves: Eoin Reddan, Tomas O’Leary, Isaac Boss.

Fly-halves: Jonathan Sexton, Ronan O’Gara.