Lynagh, Hamilton roll back the years

Guinness officially launched their first-ever global sports sponsorship yesterday and given the event in question - the 1999 World Cup (to the tune of IR£20 million) - where else would they kickstart it than at Lansdowne Road?

And, naturally, who else would they have there but Michael Lynagh and Gordon Hamilton, two of the central figures and try-scorers in the 1991 quarter-final.

After a photo-call and a re-run of their respective tries from '91, the two former internationals hosted a considered and all-embracing press conference which fleetingly looked to the past but primarily focused on next month's World Cup.

Hamilton looked on thoughtfully at the re-run of his own try, briefly closing his eyes and smiling. "Funnily enough, I watched the video of that game at home on Wednesday night, although I'd like to point out I don't do that every week."

Struck by the "change in physique" Hamilton feels the current Irish side has the pack to take on any side in the world, "but in recent years have lacked penetration." Recent performances have unearthed a few new backs and an ability to score tries out wide. "A couple of years ago we would have struggled to beat a side like Argentina."

Lynagh, meanwhile, could see where Warren Gatland was coming from with regard to preferring the Pool E runner-up route. "If Ireland go through that way and end up with a home game against France I'd probably back Ireland at the moment. The French look like a team that don't know where they're going. They don't seem to have a structure," said Lynagh, while acknowledging that the French more than most could turn things round with one win.

His native country, he believes are "in better shape than they have been for a few years" and injuries to key players "may have been a good thing in that they will be rested."

However, despite their heavy reversal in Sydney last week, Lynagh still regards the All Blacks as the favourites, out of admiration for John Hart, their host of potential match-winners and a belief that "they have kept a few tricks up their sleeves".

Effectively a full-time pundit nowadays, Lynagh showed himself to be a polished pro at these things. Why, he even wore a black jersey over black jeans and black shoes. Sacrilegious, you would have thought, for an Aussie legend.