We're just hours away from Ireland's Rugby World Cup opener against Canada and already we have an intriguing subtext to watch out for.
Canada captain Jamie Cudmore and Ireland's Paul O'Connell will enter today's game on somewhat familiar terms having already had several physical exchanges in the past culminating in a rowdy face off in 2008.
A skirmish took place during a club game between Munster and Auvergne resulting in O'Connell spending 10 minutes in the sinbin while Cudmore was issued a red card and a five week ban for punching. But the 37 year-old Canadian insists that this encounter will have no impact on today's game.
According to Irish sports media today, Cudmore says:
'I never really concentrate on one person per se. We're always looking at how a team plays in general. Nobody wants to be known as a goon, right? I think my record speaks for itself.'
When asked to give an assessment on O'Connell as a player, Cudmore said:
'He's a world-class player and it's always great to play against world-class opposition.'
The lock is deputising as captain of the Canada team in the absence of Tyler Ardron. This is Cudmore's fourth World Cup which equals the team record for World Cup participations.
Check out Paul O'Connell and Jamie Cudmore go toe to toe here in 2008
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