2015 Rugby World Cup: Pool D – Irish chances all about Joe Schmidt

Paul Rugby preview Pool D at the 2015 Rugby World Cup, where Ireland will fancy their chances under one of the current game's best-decorated coaches.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt shown ahead of a Test against Italy earlier this year. Gabriel Bouys / AFP / February 6, 2015

When Brian O’Driscoll was here for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championships earlier this year, he was asked if he had any regrets after one of rugby’s most decorated careers.

It is not a question that usually elicits much of a response from great sportsmen. “No, I enjoyed every minute of it”, is the go-to reply from ones who can’t spare the time or effort to think.

Others might be slightly more philosophical, suggesting there is not much point regretting things, so long as lessons are learnt from drawbacks.

O'Driscoll, thankfully, had a think and gave an answer. "It is a regret I am not going into a World Cup with Joe Schmidt as coach," said Ireland's recently retired most capped player.

Regrets? At World Cups, Ireland have had a few. There is no question they have underachieved in rugby’s showpiece competition, having reached the quarter-final stage five times and never gone further.

And yet there is reason to believe they have never had a better chance of success than they do now. Notwithstanding their insipid display against England in their final warm-up match, and the fact they lost to Wales on their previous outing, too, Ireland are going into the 2015 event in good health.

Like the best teams – England in 2003 and New Zealand last time out immediately spring to mind – their squad have a wealth of experience to call on.

The backbone of the side are all British & Irish Lions: Paul O’Connell is a Test centurion, Rory Best has been capped 85 times, Jamie Heaslip 75, Rob Kearney 65, Tommy Bowe 64 and Jonathan Sexton 54.

And at the apex, they have perhaps the most respected coach in the game.

There are a number of coaches at the World Cup with far bigger public profiles than Schmidt who must envy his record.

After stepping out of Vern Cotter’s shadow at Clermont Auvergne to become Leinster coach in 2010, he has won a major trophy every year since.​

That equates to two Heineken Cups, the Pro 12, and, after taking charge of Ireland in 2013, back-to-back Six Nations titles.

The medal count speaks for itself, but the testimonials of his players past and present consolidate the point, too. It was an attention to detail and a photographic memory for plays, both from his own side and opposition, which O’Driscoll spoke of most glowingly.

So, the recent form has been iffy. Schmidt said he was not worried by the two warm-up defeats (as if he was going to say anything else) while Richardt Strauss, the front rower, reckons it was the wake-up call Ireland needed.

It is fair to point out there will be little margin for error, or injury, for the Irish at this event. For example, they could not cope with the sort of injury glut New Zealand had at fly-half four years ago, when the fourth choice No 10 Stephen Donald kicked the winning points in the final. Even one might be terminal for their chances of silverware.

If either Sexton or his half-back partner Conor Murray miss much game time in the big fixtures, it is hard to see them succeeding.

But why not assume they do manage to evade misfortune. Triumph could be theirs. Or maybe a semi-final at least.

Players to watch

Robbie Henshaw, Ireland

If you are going to be touted as the next Brian O’Driscoll, it is handy to have somebody in your corner offering guidance on how to deal with the trappings of fame. Even more so if said mentor is O’Driscoll himself. Henshaw is such a talent that he was always destined for celebrity. The fact he was just starting out when Ireland were on the lookout for a replacement for their greatest player exacerbated the issue. Can Henshaw live up to the hype?

Wesley Fofana, France

The shining light in a middling era for French backs. If France are to progress to the business end of the World Cup, expect Fofana to excel at centre.

Jamie Cudmore, Canada

The most ironically nicknamed player in all of sport, “Cuddles” is fearsome and gnarled rather than huggable. A colossal second-row presence.

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