2003 World Cup winner and BT Sport analyst Ben Kay doesn't agree with Ireland's preparations for the World Cup. Kay believes that Joe Schmidt is taking a "risk" in focusing his team on peaking for later in the tournament in time for the crunch game against France.
Speaking to the BBC, Kay claims that Ireland's players indicated that Schmidt has warmed up with that October 11th clash in mind. Ireland face Canada and Romania in their opening games, with Italy and France to close out the pool.
That's a risky strategy if you can't get the confidence.
It's something that didn't work for Ireland in 2007, when we struggled against Namibia and Georgia, but there is an argument that it helped in 2011 when Ireland were able to prepare against USA after a poor warm up series.
Kay isn't convinced, but acknowledged that their schedule allows them to do that.
Speaking to people around the squad they are saying that their build-up has been slightly different in that they are looking to peak slightly later in the tournament.
Kay did have some kind words to say about Ireland though. He was hugely complimentary about Schmidt saying that he knows how to get the most out of his resources in order to win:
Joe Schmidt is tactically one of the best coaches in the world though and always brings the best out of the squad.
This Irish team has gone very much into a style of rugby that suits World Cups. While it might not be so exciting to watch, with the high ball to the fore, but in their half-back combination they've probably got the most settled game-management team.
I think it's time for the tournament to start now though, instead of wondering which Ireland team will show up.
[BBC]
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Picture credit: Brendan Moran / SPORTSFILE
