KEY POINTS:
DUBLIN - The big question over Ireland's hopes for the rugby World Cup is which team will turn up - the one that turned over the Australians and the South Africans last November, or the one that scraped past Six Nations wooden spoonists Scotland in the last campaign.
The Irish undoubtedly have the talent, especially in the backs which is drenched in ability. But inexplicably, given their reputation for stubborness and composure under pressure, their talent can go AWOL on vital occasions.
It is not the greatest attribute to have when faced with the eponymous 'Group of Death' with hosts France and Argentina in their pool. The latter famously beat Ireland in the 1999 quarter-final play-off in Lens.
Irish coach Eddie O'Sullivan has guided them to several memorable victories but the manner in which an effectively second string team went down to Scotland earlier this month must be a worrying factor should any of his first picks get injured.
The likes of Brian O'Driscoll, Gordon D'Arcy, Ronan O'Gara, Peter Stringer, Girvan Dempsey or Geordan Murphy would strike fear into any backs division in international rugby but they also have the propensity to implode at the most inconvenient times.
However O'Driscoll's fracture to his nose and damage to his cheekbone when he was punched during a warm-up match which the Irish won 42-6 against French side Bayonne has ruled him out of the first match against Namibia.
While that should be of little consequence given the gap in class between the two sides of more concern should be that the talismanic centre's hamstrings are repeatedly been recorded as tight and a reason for his exit from matches before they are over.
O'Sullivan is a canny character and deservedly has the reputation of being regarded as one of the best coaches in the sport, but even last year after beating the Wallabies and the Springboks he didn't want to raise expectations.
"Talk about winning the World Cup is where it all gets a bit giddy," said O'Sullivan.
"New Zealand have been the big boys leading up to the last two World Cups and they have fallen over. There are no divine rights to winning it.
"Of course on any given day you can turn over a big gun. However we have the most difficult group with Argentina and France and if that doesn't keep your feet on the ground then nothing will.
"I would be surprised if anyone would put their house on us getting out of the group. I am not saying we won't but there has to be a sense of realism to the tournament and our hopes for it."
Wallabies coach John Connolly, whose nickname 'Knuckles' has been well earned as a former night club bouncer, said at the time the Irish would be worthy World Cup winners.
One Australian player who did not want to be named paid the Irish the ultimate compliment.
"They are on the curve that the English were before 2003 (they beat the Aussies in the final minute of extra-time in the World Cup final) in terms of age, experience and class.
"Next year will be their last chance for this group because a lot will have to go afterwards but I have to say that they look like they are the sole realistic challenger from the northern hemisphere."
Whether that can be the case for a generation of players - who many would consider the finest Ireland has produced - was probably best summed up by one Irish pundit in the same heady days of last November.
"If only the World Cup final was next weekend."
COACH
Eddie O'Sullivan
Failed to deliver the coveted Six Nations Grand Slam with probably the most talented squad Ireland has ever had over the past few years, although the 48-year-old has guided them to the Triple Crown three times. However expectations of Ireland overcoming a difficult group to go on and become world champions are enormous in a country deprived of global sporting success. O'Sullivan could be considered dour and 'steady Eddie' an appropriate moniker, but he has done them no harm under his tutelage and is the nearest thing to Clive Woodward of 2003 that the competition has.
KEY PLAYER
Brian O'Driscoll, centre
It is indicative of Ireland's strength in depth that several of their squad could be key to their success, but in the end it has to be the talismanic Blackrock College educated star. It has become a mantra mainly from Irish supporters that without O'Driscoll the Irish are three men down which in their opener against Namibia they need not worry about. Hardly fair to the others but the flame-haired back drives his opponents to distraction and invariably takes two of his opponents out of action when he gets the ball. Centre partner Gordon D'Arcy is a stunning runner but it is O'Driscoll who diverts the attention and it would be a great shame were he not to end the World Cup - probably his last - without the trophy in his arms.
- AFP
