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Ireland predicted to 'blow it' at Rugby World Cup
By Ian Cameron
Former England Sevens and Stade Francais player Ollie Phillips has predicted that Andy Farrell's Grand Slam-winning Ireland team will ultimately fail at the Rugby World Cup in France later this year.
"I really do hope that Ireland win the World Cup this year, but so many bones in my body are telling me they’ll blow it in France later this year," wrote Phillips (39).
Phillips argues in his City AM column that Ireland's Pool of Death which includes South Africa, Scotland, Tonga, and Romania has set up a knock-out game against the Scottish in their final pool match before a quarter-final against either New Zealand or France.
He sees "a realistic scenario" whereby Scotland still has a chance of making it to the last eight, as Gregor Townsend's men "give everything they have" to beat Ireland to have any hope of qualifying.
But it's Ireland's overreliance on Johnny Sexton that could be their biggest weakness, and teams will try to target him to unsettle the Irish team.
"And for me, so much of the Irish success in the last two months has been channelled through two players: Johnny Sexton and Peter O’Mahony.
"Sexton is the messiah of the Irish machine, he’s so smart in the way he runs his side and creates opportunities for others. But his game style is his weakness.
"England showed how you can target the fly-half and get him hobbling in no time at all, and the likes of Tonga and Romania will prioritise that game plan as they go for a giant killing."
Phillips sees the tournament as France's to lose.
"For me, the writing is on the wall for France to win the World Cup on home soil. They’re looking solid and their loss to Ireland in the Six Nations – one of the greatest matches the Championship has ever seen – could be a blessing in disguise."
The Englishman's take comes days after former New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen branded Ireland Rugby World Cup 'chokers' and that getting over that psychological hurdle will be the greatest challenge for the men in green in France.
“Every time a team is number one in the world, you’ve got to consider them to be a World Cup contender – but it’s a tough tournament to win, and they were number one going into the last one, weren’t they?," said Hansen. "So, they’ve seemed to struggle a little bit at World Cups. If it was the All Blacks, they’d probably be called ‘chokers’."
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Latest Comments
So the number of minutes is what measures merit?
With and without him, not the same team. 3 titles in 4 tournaments, with a third place on the first one.
Look at other 15s stars who tried and didn’t perform like Habana.
Look at Keenan.
If that’s not an impact… Look at Squidge reaction on the matter.
And if you want to look at minutes, you should say Jesse Kriel should’ve have taken the POTY over Du Toit.
The guy started 7s in January.
And won the Champions Cup and the Top14 in between those 7s competitions. A week after his immense performance against Leinster, he won the Grand Final in Madrid.
Award given due to star power? He proved all year that he’s deserves his star status by winning it all, except for 1 tournament in Vancouver.
And 1 defeat in 15s.
Go to commentsI think the ratings were mostly fair tbh, the simple fact is that Borthwick is being far to loyal to some players who are clearly well past their sell by date, this coupled with the fact that England currently don't have any truly world class operators and we are where we are.
I also think that poor decisions were made in selection in regard to Henry Slade and George martin, neither of whom appeared fully fit after lengthy lay offs pre series.
The decision to pick Tom curry given his concussion issues also showed a lack of judgement.
Borthwick and his coaching team are very callow in international coaching terms, and it's shows!!
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