After months and years of preparations, the Rugby World Cup begins tomorrow with Ireland beginning their campaign against Canada on Saturday afternoon.
Keith Wood and The Irish Times Rugby Correspondent Gerry Thornley spoke to Ger last night on Off the Ball for the final Wednesday Night Rugby before the tournament begins.
Gerry looked at the English side ahead of the opening game with Fijiand he thinks the hosts lack the experience in crucial positions. Fly half George Ford has played 13 times for England, with nine of those coming in Twickenham. Thornley mentioned how Jonny Wilkinson had nearly 50 caps going into the 2003 World Cup despite only being two years older. According to Thornley, most World Cup winners have had experienced fly halves including, Michael Lynagh, Stephen Markham and Wilkinson.
New Zealand and Argentina is the biggest game of the opening weekend with the sides squaring off in Wembley on Sunday. Keith told Ger that Argentina's win over South Africa in The Rugby Championship in Durban in August was "a hugely important win".
The All Blacks "wont have the huge pressure" at the start of the tournament compared to the knock out stages but Wood thinks their want to win a World Cup away from home for the first time may be on their player minds.
Steve Hansen's side may be "quite spooked" if they meet Ireland or France in the quarter finals in the Millennium Stadium. Eight years ago they were shocked by France in the same stage in the same stadium and Thornley feels knock out rugby may not suit the World Champions.
You can hear Keith Wood and Gerry Thornley look ahead to the opening weekend of the Rugby World Cup on Wednesday Night Rugby.
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