Jamie Heaslip and Brian O’Driscoll were on Wednesday’s OTB AM and assured fans that it is not yet time to panic after Ireland’s record loss to England.
Ireland were subjected to a 42-point drubbing at the hands of their bitter rivals in Twickenham but the former Irish internationals weren’t overly worried by the disappointing display.
“Whatever about the result, they have to play well to get their confidence up. If they don’t manage to get their confidence up that record defeat in Twickenham will live with them a lot longer and manifest itself and fester.
“If they can park that and put in a really good performance and hopefully get a victory from it I think you’re able to rid yourself of the memories from that and you’re able to look positively and look forward,” O’Driscoll said.
Heaslip played under Joe Schmidt for the best part of seven years in his time at Leinster and Ireland and reckons the Kiwi was plenty of tricks up his sleeve.
“It’s such a fine blend because I’m sure they’ve been working on things during the summer in Carton House or in Portugal. They can’t show their whole hand.
“You can’t show everything straight away. Knowing Joe [Schmidt] I’m sure he has a repertoire of moves that he has banked during the summer.
“He’s giving them game sheets for the moves they’re using for that week and they’re holding back a lot of information,” Heaslip explained.
The last time Ireland put in a few questionable performances during World Cup warm-ups was leading up to the 2007 tournament, where they crashed out during the pool stages.
While the game against England certainly won’t have instilled much confidence, O’Driscoll sees no reason for there to be a repeat of 2007.
“Rory [Best] is the only one that was there [from the current squad] and has memories of it. It’s not an issue from their perspective.
“I have every faith that they can turn it around and I have every faith that they can do it. But they need to do it quickly,” O’Driscoll commented.
Ireland have a chance to right many of last weekend’s wrongs as they come up against Wales in Cardiff this Saturday at 2.30pm.
While a win isn’t crucial Joe Schmidt's side want to put on a much better display to get their World Cup preparation back on track.
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