The
leaves are turning brown and falling off the trees, the nights
are getting darker earlier, and there is a sharp bite in the air – a sure sign that the season’s
have changed and this time of year brings with it the autumn Rugby
internationals.
This year is no exception as Ireland have three testing fixtures
at Lansdowne Road to see just how far the team has progressed since
last year’s World Cup in Australia where they made it to the
quarter-finals of the competition, only losing out to a rampant France
side.
The positive display’s continued as Ireland then went on to
claim their first Triple Crown for 19 years, in the Six Nations championship,
which included a famous victory over World Champions England at Twickenham.
This season sees renewed optimism in Irish rugby, and with the return
of players such as Geordan Murphy and Alan Quinlan after long injury
lay-offs, this will hopefully galvanise the side ahead of the Six Nations
championship next year.
Speaking about the three internationals against South Africa, USA and
Argentina, coach Eddie O’Sullivan is taking a cautious approach
to the games, which begin with the Springboks visit to Dublin on 13
November.
“Our goal is to win all three games. But obviously the Boks are
the most difficult. It’s strange that having played them twice
in the summer and unfortunately lost twice, we also face them in our
opening game.
“The American game will be a tricky one as they are a team that
could turn you over if you are not careful. Of course the final game
against the Pumas is going to difficult as well. But on saying that,
all three games are winnable.
“It’s the longest break we have had between internationals
since I’ve taken over, and it seems a bit strange to be such
a long time away from the team. But it’s been a good summer for
the players, and they have trained extremely hard.
“They have now had a couple of Heineken Cup games on top of Celtic
League game under their belts. As for myself, I’m just delighted
to get back to the part of the job I enjoy most and that's coaching
the players on the field.”
The players have been put through a gruelling 10-week conditioning
programme by the IRFU in order to make sure that the players are able
to compete against the more physical teams such as South Africa.
“If you look at the teams ahead of us in the pecking order, they
are all bigger, more physical and quicker as well. The programme had
to be put in place if we were to make up lost ground in terms of physicality,” explains
O’Sullivan.
Wasps flanker Jonny O’Connor, will make his debut for Ireland
against South Africa, following a string of impressive performances
in the Zurich Premiership this season.
Galway-born O’Connor, 24, will look to cement his place in the
back row for the Six Nations championships, which starts in February
2005, where Ireland will be looking to go one better than last season
and scoop the Grand Slam title.
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