It is morning in the Irish rugby village. The players are busy and silently diligent. Some are almost devotional, sitting alone striking yoga poses (via IrishTimesSport )
Early in the week and already Ireland’s tasks are mounting. Beat France. Win a Six Nations Championship. Travel to the World Cup as the top ranked team. Deliver a television program.
“Cropped, dark hair,” comes the reply. Is James Ryan out there yet, he asks. “Not yet.” Caolin Blade? “No.” They are a bustling throng tending stiff muscles and sore bones, running lengths of the pitch refining their gait, lengthening their stride before they lurch to the outside pitch and begin to streamline a game for a much different challenge to the one Warren Gatland posed.
And if Ireland don’t beat France in Dublin what to expect against them at their own World Cup in Paris.Far from French infatuation, the Irish squad have been more concentrated on creating their own team character, building an identity that they can uniquely call their own. It provides security of purpose.
Dave Kilcoyne received little warning of his last minute involvement vs Wales. Photograph: Dan Sheridan/Inpho “And the French are physical. I think it would be silly to say they’re not bigger than us. We think we’re fitter. If we can get around them, work around into holes and get a couple of weak shoulders…it sounds very easy to do...”
“The Johnny I know holds grudges and not only does he hold them, holds them for possibly…ever. He creates a chip on his shoulder to drive himself. That’s where the burning desire comes from. If Ireland win [against Wales], I’d not be surprised if he does go up to Gatland and says thank you for not picking me. That’s the sort of thing he would do.
“You can’t just come in here and say ‘it’s just another game’ because it’s not. It’s one we’ve waited a long time for. It’s a huge game.”In France the mood is patience. There’s a willingness to sharpen the guillotine, but a reluctance to allow it fall after one match. Disappointing against Italy but a bonus point win, not defeat. There’s a stay on the order to overreact.
Antoine Dupont has acknowledged France's need to improve their discipline from last week. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
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