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Ireland are a brave team - Brian O'Driscoll

Brian O'Driscoll offers us an insight into the mindset of this Ireland team and what sets them apart.
Cian Fahey
Cian Fahey

16.28 28 Feb 2023


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Ireland are a brave team - Bri...

Ireland are a brave team - Brian O'Driscoll

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Cian Fahey
Cian Fahey

16.28 28 Feb 2023


Share this article


Brian O'Driscoll joined Joe Molloy to talk about Ireland, the Six Nations and a potential World Cup win.

Ireland are on course for a Grand Slam in the Six Nations.

Victory over Scotland in two weeks and then England the following week will assure them of the title. But this is a World Cup year. Winning a Grand Slam and underperforming in the World Cup (again) will likely lead to some derision for the achievements of Andy Farrell's team.

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Whether that's fair or not is dependent on your point of view.

But it appears that the Ireland players themselves won't view this as a successful season unless they have a good World Cup. And a good World Cup doesn't mean just winning a quarter-final.

Brian O'Driscoll explained to Joe Molloy that he thinks this Ireland team view themselves differently to those that came before them.

"If we're to win the World Cup, we've got to be brave," O'Driscoll said.

"I think they are a brave team. I don't think they think like Irish teams of old, I really don't. It's only positive thoughts, it really feels like that. I wouldn't be talking to too many of them but certainly when I talk to Johnny it's very much glass half full.

"It's opportunity.

"It's not 'Oh can we get to a semi-final.' They're not thinking about a semi-final. They're thinking about winning the World Cup. And anything below that will be a disappointment...they will not be happy...if they don't win the final.

"Win or not. That's it. Those are the two options."

That mindset is what has pushed Andy Farrell's team to being number one in the world for a prolonged period of time. And hopefully for everyone involved, it will also be what pushes them to the top of the pile in France at the end of the year.

But first Ireland must focus on Scotland and the challenge they provide. Scotland showed they can contend with the best in Paris, despite losing the game, so it should be a mouthwatering clash in two weeks.

Ireland's defence desperately needs Garry Ringrose

 

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