Before coach Mike Ruddock and his Ireland Under-20 captain departed for the Junior World Cup, they were both asked about size (like Australia’s 130 kg prop, Phil Kite). Traditionally Ireland has struggled at underage level when they faced much bigger opposition and with Australia up today in their first pool match followed by Fiji and then New Zealand, the size issue is still there.
Ruddock took the conversation towards footwork and playing to Irish strengths with McGrath, the Leinster scrumhalf who made his starting debut with the senior team against Ospreys recently in the Pro12, also thinking about alternatives against three southern hemisphere teams.
Ireland, however, go into their first match today in Stade de la Rabine, Vannes with thoughts of Danie Craven Stadium very much on their minds. Last year in the South African Junior RWC, Ruddock and his team came away with a 23-19 win to stun the hosts, who went on to win the tournament.
This season just McGrath and backrow, Josh Van Der Flier, return as an inexperienced Ireland side face the Wallabies this afternoon.
“Yeah there was a massive reaction last year. I don’t think they knew what we were capable of then,” says McGrath of beating the World Cup hosts. “They were very surprised when we beat them, even sickened. They didn’t know what we were like. We just went out there . . .
“The three matches (this year) are going to be a massive test on the body. I think we are a good enough side to rotate if we have to. People can fill in and we know each other’s roles. I think we have the ability to do that.”
Still Ireland will have to box clever and not be drawn into a competition of physical force in both the forwards and the backs.They also go into the competition without Ulster’s rising star Stuart Olding and Connacht’s talented back Robbie Henshaw, both of whom have been selected on the Ireland squad touring the USA and Canada.
Ireland probably needs a little inspiration and while they are undoubtedly in a tough pool, last year’s result against the Springboks and final victory over France for fifth place showed that it can arrive at the most unexpected times.
