Ireland keen to hit the ground runningBORDEAUX, 8 September - The waiting game is finally over for Ireland and they are ready to make a bold statement of their world cup intent against Namibia in their first Pool D match at the Chaban-Delmas Stadium on Sunday.
This desire to impress is even more important in the light of Argentina's 17-12 defeat of host nation France in the opening IRB Rugby World Cup and Pool D match on Friday at the Stade de France in Paris.
Ireland will be only too aware that points difference could prove crucial in deciding who will progress to the quarter-finals from the so-called 'Group of Death', and nothing but a convincing victory will suffice for head coach Eddie O'Sullivan.
''There's been so much energy in the camp in the past week,'' said O'Sullivan. "We've been champing at the bit to get started.''
A repeat of their 64-7 defeat of Namibia at RWC 2003 would be a good start, although O'Sullivan knows that Ireland can ill afford to take their opponents lightly.
Namibia have a bruising, uncompromising set of forwards, led by former Leeds prop Kees Lensing, and most of the pack ply their trade in South African club rugby.
''We know they have a strong back row and will be particularly dangerous at the breakdown. The contest there will be intense,'' said O'Sullivan.
Key figures return for IrelandTo that end, Ireland will be relieved that flanker David Wallace has recovered from his ankle injury. However, the return of their talismanic captain Brian O'Driscoll is arguably an even more significant boost.
O'Driscoll had been expected to miss the Namibia encounter after suffering a fractured sinus when he was punched in a warm-up game against French club Bayonne on August 16. However, he has recovered a week ahead of schedule.
''I am delighted to be back and especially to be leading Ireland out for our first game in the tournament,'' said the centre.
Ireland's half back pairing of Peter Stringer and Ronan O'Gara will again be keen to pull the strings in a backline that oozes class, but first the Irish must establish control up front.
''We know they'll throw everything at us in the first quarter,'' O'Sullivan said. ''We will have to play simple and direct rugby and construct a platform with which we can play off. We are under no illusions it will be a tough day at the office.''
The phrase ''hit the ground running'' has been much bandied around in the Irish camp during the last week, and O'Sullivan's team will be determined to put that into practice on Sunday.
This post has been edited by Gio-Fire on 9 Sep 2007, 21:57
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Rugby World Cup 2007 in FRANCE, რაგბი. მსოფლიო ჩემპიონატი 2007
