'This time it'll be different'.
These words, or at least their sentiment, were in the air before the last two World Cups, before we were inevitably dumped out at the quarter-final stage.
And, like a cruel joke, when it really does seem different this year - with the Irish team no. 1 in the rankings and playing their best ever rugby - we've been dealt one of the toughest draws in the competition's history.
However, Bernard Jackman, speaking on the RTE Rugby podcast, explained that change is afoot in camp, and how the Ireland management are intent on righting the wrongs of past campaign preparations:
What really frustrated me, I think, we all heard about these reviews of the previous World Cups, but there actually wasn't that much change.
I was involved in three World Cup preps, and I was speaking to people who were involved in 2015 and 2019.
And the synopsis was that one of the things they got wrong was way too much S&C control, way too much gym, off-field conditioning, which had them in great shape physically, they looked a million dollars, but wen it came to actual rugby fitness they felt they were a little bit off, they were a little bit behind, and didn't get enough game time in their legs.
So certainly, from my understanding, there's been really good balance and mix, and they've been doing rugby pretty much as quickly as they could and getting lots of it, and getting their fitness through that.
Bernard Jackman On The World Cup Prep Changes Ireland Have Made
🔊 "Last year he always would have been chasing to get back for a big game..."
The #RTERugby podcast are hopeful the summer break has allowed Tadhg Furlong shake off the calf injury that followed him around last season. 🦵
🎙️ Full pod 👉 https://t.co/oH5Of1pwK3 pic.twitter.com/rbUTnrrUlk
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) August 2, 2023
READ HERE: The Irish Rugby Jersey Will Have A Major Change In The World Cup Warm-Ups
Speaking at a press-conference earlier in the week, Ireland forwards coach Paul O'Connell alluded to these changes in pre-season training, and the focus on more on-field rugby based sessions.
"We're hoping to hit the ground running, we've got a big body of work done even before pre-season starts.
"We're not starting from scratch. We weren't hoping to make massive changes to our game-plan, hoping to evolve a little bit and hoping to see some of that come out at the weekend.
"We'd also hope to see some of the things we've trained coming out from the players as well.
"We've trained a certain way, which hopefully prepares them for games.
"Sometimes in pre-season the rugby side of it or the matches side of it almost comes as a shock, whereas we're hoping that won't be the case for this pre-season."
SEE ALSO: Johnny Sexton's Comments To Fitzgerald Bode Well For Ireland's World Cup Hopes
