In an exclusive interview with BettingSites.co.uk, former England rugby international Rory Underwood reveals why Ireland are now in a great position to win the Rugby World Cup.
Underwood paid tribute to the excellent job coach Andy Farrell has done in preparing his group of players and why the win over Romania was the ideal start to the tournament.
Interview Highlights:
- Underwood makes Ireland and France World Cup favourites
- Ireland fully prepared for six week World Cup grind now
- Irish teams playing in Europe has boosted nations chances of glory
- Thrashing Romania is huge early tournament confidence boost
Ireland and France the two teams to beat says Underwood
Underwood reckons Ireland are one of the two teams most likely to be crowned Rugby World Cup champions on October 28th, with host nation France the others;
Underwood: “France and Ireland were my favourites leading up into the World Cup. Ireland obviously number one in the world and France being the home team obviously helps.”
Andy Farrell’s coaching key to six week World Cup grind
Ireland have never reached a World Cup semi final despite a wealth of talented players at their disposal over the years. But Underwood believes having Andy Farrell’s guidance means they will be ready to grind it out for six weeks of tournament rugby;
Underwood: “They’ve always been a very good side, but they’ve just never managed to put it together for the four/five/six weeks of a tournament. I think that’s changed. The way Andy Farrell has coached the side, I think Ireland are much more prepared to take on that grind of playing through a World Cup and I’m looking forward to seeing how they get on.”
Champions Cup representation is big boost to Ireland’s chances
Experience at the highest level of club rugby has galvanised Irish players according to Underwood. Leinster have reached the last two Champions Cup finals, while Munster and Ulster have also performed valiantly in the past;
Underwood: “With the years and years of experience of Munster and Leinster and Ulster having played European rugby. I think this side is much more prepared for a World Cup campaign.”
Racking up 82 points against Romania set the tone nicely
Despite conceding the first try against Romania, Ireland went on to rack up 12 of their own in a dominant performance which shows why they are one of the favourites for the World Cup. Underwood reckons it was the perfect confidence boost;
Underwood: “Well, it’s a good start for anybody to get a good win off the bat. No doubt Andy Farrell will still be looking at some things that, even when you get an 80 point win, there’s always things that didn’t quite go the way you wanted it to. And is it good to start with an easy win, leading into some of the more harder games they’ve got. So it’s a good start, it boosts confidence. It’s good to get the first game in the World Cup off and running.”
Born in Middlesbrough, on June 19, 1963, Underwood's impressive rugby career took flight when he earned his first cap for the England national rugby union team against Ireland in 1984. Rory was an integral part of the England team which triumphed in securing a Grand Slam in the Five Nations Championship in 1991. This historic achievement cemented his status as one of England's rugby icons.
