There has been a lot of talk about Ireland holding something back for the World Cup but according to Andy Dunne, there will not be any major changes to their gameplan.
Speaking on Friday's OTB AM, the former Leinster fly-half said he is concerned about the idea that the team will play differently in Japan.
“It’s very, very worrying to be going into a World Cup thinking we have a Trojan Horse and that actually we’re going to change our game plan.
“There is nothing to me that suggests we have a grand masterplan," Dunne said.
He thinks at this stage Ireland's approach is slightly outdated.
“I think the whole issue about predictability is that we get to ground early on, from a scrum or lineout.
“We invariably use that platform to set up a ruck, that’s called a breakdown in rugby and to me a breakdown is not something to be celebrated.
The breakdown
“If your car breaks down you don’t celebrate it, how many times does your car break down then it doesn’t mean it’s a functional car," the former Connacht man said.
Dunne thinks our possession orientated game can only get us so far and there will not be any major shifts in philosophy.
“Pragmatic rugby won us a Grand Slam and we beat the All Blacks playing the same way at a very high level of execution, but it’s very physically demanding and tiring.
“I would love if the Trojan Horse is we’re going to take on the bigger, physical teams by pretending we’re going to be physical but actually we’re going to use the ball and be creative and elusive.
“I don’t think it’s a Trojan Horse and I think Joe is a strong believer in what he is doing.
“I’m sure he’s belligerent in terms of how he wants it implemented," he said.
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