‘What a great place to be,’ say Ireland after win over Springboks
Captain Paul O’Connell hails team spirit and structure after injury-depleted side powers to 29-15 victory over South Africa
Please click on the link for a gallery of the best pictures from Saturday's international test matches.
The deep squad Ireland have built up is an "excellent place to be", captain Paul O’Connell said on Saturday after his injury-depleted side powered to a 29-15 victory over South Africa.
Ireland were without seven of the team that clinched the Six Nations trophy in France last March, missing the likes of Sean O’Brien and Cian Healy and even losing flanker Chris Henry to illness hours before kick-off.
That clarity, not just from 1 to 23 but from 1 to 35 or 36 gives you a lot of confidence
Starting six players with 10 or fewer international appearances, including debutant centre Jared Payne and the thrice-capped pair of Robbie Henshaw and try-scorer Rhys Ruddock, Ireland showed their strength ahead of next year’s World Cup.
"It’s great. I think it’s one of the things probably that’s been building over the last few years," O’Connell said, referring to the younger players able to compliment seasoned internationals like himself, Jonathan Sexton and Jamie Heaslip.
"It is an excellent place to be, not just with excellent players coming in but excellent players with knowledge inside out of their role. That clarity, not just from 1 to 23 but from 1 to 35 or 36 gives you a lot of confidence."
Ireland, who overwhelmed a team hardened by weeks of international rugby thanks to tries from flanker Ruddock, winger Tommy Bowe and a perfect kicking display from Sexton, were well organised throughout, a trait that’s increasingly common under coach Joe Schmidt.