Dubai: Ireland rugby legend Brian O’Driscoll believes 2015 is The Shamrocks’ best chance to lift the Rugby World Cup.
The Boys in Green have reached the quarter-finals five times but never progressed into the latter stages of the competition, which will be held in England from September 18 to October 31 this year.
However O’Driscoll, who scored 245 points in 133 appearances for his country between 1999 and 2014, believes Ireland’s recent retention of the Six Nations Rugby Championship is a solid statement of intent from Josef Schmidt’s men.
“I think we had a great chance at the 2011 Rugby World Cup because we found ourselves beating Australia and having Wales in the quarter-finals,” said the former centre on the sidelines of the Icons Cup all-star charity golf tournament at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club on Thursday.
“But I think the way this team is coached now is at another level on from that [2011], particularly after having drawn France and Italy [familiar teams, which they beat in the Six Nations] in their pool
"It’s a great opportunity, but France are always good in World Cups so we’ll have to wait and see.”
Asked why Ireland had so far failed to fulfil their potential at a World Cup, O’Driscoll replied: “I don’t know why we haven’t quite done it on the bigger stage, it’s tricky to put your finger on it.
“Retaining the Six Nations is a big stepping stone to try and show some form in a World Cup year, though it doesn’t count for anything if you don’t turn up then.
"Historically Irish teams probably haven’t gone the way they should have, but hopefully it will be different, this is a bit more of a mentally tough team and hopefully we’ll see them into a semi-final at least, and then who knows from there?
So who are Ireland’s greatest hopes for this upcoming tournament according to a man who many consider to be the greatest Irish rugby player of all-time?
“I think there are lots of Irish guys to look out for but key people will be Jonny Sexton, Conor Murray and Paul O’Connell, if they have good World Cups, Ireland will go OK.”
