World Cup injury blow for Henshaw

Luke Fitzgerald has replaced him at inside-centre, the rest of the side was extremely predictable, as the strongest possible team for Ireland.

So who is this Evan Olmstead guy who is about to make his Rugby World Cup debut with Canada’s senior men’s national team? Canada men are a well-established team on the World Series 7s circuit, pumping resources into this sport since its inclusion into the Olympic Games.

As the pair square up at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff, Jamie Cudmore will captain his country for the first time in the World Cup, with regular captain Tyler Ardron injured.

The rugby-mad tourists will pour millions of pounds into the English coffers, and it is no wonder that Ireland will mount a serious bid for the 2023 tournament. Ireland, unlike England in their pool of death with Wales and Australia, do not have to hit the ground running.

The previous day, Australia steam roll the French. “That’s something we can’t afford to do with Canada”.

The Leinster utility back gets the nod over the likes of Darren Cave and Ian Madigan, and will start alongside Jared Payne in midfield in the absence of Henshaw, who picked up a knock in training during the week. Form, continuity, momentum and player management are crucial during campaigns like this, it starts now.

Ireland do come into the tournament a little below par in the last month. “I don’t think anything would have made him happier”. Yet being a World Cup veteran doesn’t make the nerves go away the second time around.

“It’s a risky strategy if you can’t get the confidence” Kay told the media this week.

Crowley has been pretty open about his side’s chances at RWC 2015, telling RTE earlier this week, “A good World Cup for us will be qualifying for the next World Cup, so you have to finish third in your pool for that”.

It’s like a home World Cup everywhere for Ireland… Maybe Kay is emotionally re-living the kick-at-all-cost game that won finals for England and South Africa?

Canada is 0-5-1 all-time against Ireland, including a harrowing loss on a field-length Irish try on the last play of the game in 1989 at UVic’s Centennial Stadium.

The moose has been with the team since 2007, carried out of the dressing room and left on the side of the pitch during games. Teams are going to bring their best game at some point during the tournament and you always have to be aware of that.

“The only other way to progress the ball is to use the boot so you have got to be proficient in using all three aspects of the game”.

From an Irish point of view, the opening fixture couldn’t have been kinder as they square off against lowly Canada who occupy 18th spot in the World Rankings.

Am I speaking like an All Black?

“We committed 12 turnovers in the first half against England”. Italian Rugby looks thin and undernourished, but their performance against the Welsh in Cardiff showed that there are flashes of Roma Invicta in there somewhere. “All their club players get paid to play”.

Schmidt has run with as close to a full strength selection as he can muster.

Iain Henderson will partner skipper Paul O’Connell in the second row as Devin Toner misses out, while Cian Healy is named on the bench after recovering from neck surgery.

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt has played down the severity of Robbie Henshaw’s hamstring injury despite Tuesday’s scan showing blood which indicates a tear. Blevins has had a dynamic summer, scoring several impressive tries, while Hearn has been a Crowley regular at outside centre.