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Mary Hannigan: Lack of depth cost Ireland dearly at Rugby World Cup

Gordon D’Arcy on how a lack of rotation backfired in France; Tyler Toland keen to rebuild international career; Seán Moran on the continuing scourge of referee attacks

Ireland’s Bundee Aki dejected at the end of the Rugby World Cup France quarter-final against New Zealand in Paris. Photograph: Billy Stickland/Inpho

Mary Hannigan's face
Mary Hannigan
Wed Oct 25 2023 - 11:29

Need it be said, Gordon D’Arcy was hoping his column this week would be a preview of Ireland’s participation in Saturday’s World Cup final. It wasn’t to be, so “now that the dust has settled” he’s instead analysing why they failed once again to progress past the quarter-final stage. His conclusion? Ireland “have the ability to produce one-off world class players, but we evidently don’t have the strength in depth needed to deliver at a World Cup”.

That lack of depth led to a lack of rotation through the tournament, 10 Irish players starting every game, resulting in them being “below their peak physical performance state”. In contrast, not a single player from New Zealand, South Africa or England did the same. It would be impossible to suggest, Gordon writes, that Andy Farrell got any selections wrong, “the question is, did he have enough to pick from in the first place?” He reckons not, that there is “still a gap between the top players and the next layer beneath”.

Gerry Thornley, meanwhile, dropped in on the New Zealand camp to see how they’re shaping up for the final, forwards coach Jason Ryan asked “if he expects mind games from [South Africa’s Rassie] Erasmus – and if they will have an impact?” “Not sure and no,” he replied. Gerry also writes about the proposed new Nations League in international rugby, the long-discussed new biennial international competition which will kick off in 2026.

In soccer, Gavin Cummiskey spoke with Tyler Toland, the Donegal woman who is rebuilding her international career after a near four-year exile during Vera Pauw’s reign. The midfielder is, though, eager to look forward instead of talking about the past. “If you focus on other people, on their thoughts, it is not going to do well for you,” she said.

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In the aftermath of Sunday’s incident in Tullamore, when the referee was pushed to the ground, Seán Moran asks “why do so many people instinctively believe that they are entitled to attack or menace officials?” And rather than insisting that the GAA need to “do something” about these incidents, “could everyone else not do more to confront misbehaviour at their level?”

Also in Gaelic games, Gordon Manning spoke with Pauric Mahony, the former Waterford captain who retired from intercounty hurling last January at the age of just 30 – and has no regrets, He also caught up with Galway’s Clodagh McGrath, and among the issues they discussed the continuing requirement for camogie players to wear a ‘skort’. Her view on the rule? “A little bit petty”, “just a bit silly”, “outdated” and “archaic”.

TV watch: It’s another busy Champions League day, Barcelona v Shakhtar Donetsk among the 5.45 kick-offs (TNT Sports 1), while you’ll have the pick of Celtic v Atlético Madrid (TNT Sports 3), PSG v AC Milan (TNT Sports 4), Newcastle v Borussia Dortmund (Virgin Media Two and TNT Sports 2) and Young Boys v Manchester City (TNT Sports 1) at 8.0.