Ireland
One month to go: How are Ireland shaping up for RWC 2015?
Tom Hamilton
August 18, 2015
© Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images

Main Issues

Ireland's defence was uncharacteristically porous against Scotland at the weekend as they made an alarming 21 missed tackles. But Ireland are two from two, are reigning Six Nations champions, and boast the gameplan most suited to a Rugby World Cup.

Squad Strength

That Ireland have won both of their warm-ups without fielding Johnny Sexton, Rob Kearney, Conor Murray or Robbie Henshaw shows they have plenty of depth in the backs but they are still weighing up their first-choice front-row and the exact make up of their pack. And the outside backs are still causing Schmidt headaches. Simon Zebo did well at fullback against Scotland but Rob Kearney is likely to be first choice there heading into the Rugby World Cup. The exact pecking order of Fergus McFadden, Andrew Trimble, Dave Kearney, Zebo, Luke Fitzgerald and Tommy Bowe on the flank is only known to Schmidt.

Injury Concerns

Ireland have a clear bill of health from last Saturday's game but are still waiting on Cian Healy's recovery from neck injury. Tommy O'Donnnell has been ruled out of the World Cup after dislocating his hip against Wales.

What are the locals saying

"The win over Wales suggested we are in rude health, the back-up is strong and the optimism is well founded. Saturday suggested we might not be as strong as all that but in the general scheme of things that game against Scotland could be worth a lot more to Ireland than the one in Cardiff a week earlier." - Alan Quinlan, Irish Independent

© Tom Hamilton

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