Rugby World Cup fever: Ireland in with a shout

With the Rugby World Cup just around the corner, all eyes turn to France as the world's best teams congregate for a month-long festival of egg-chasing. While Ireland has never made it past the quarter-final stage, following a recent good run of form, fans, pundits and players alike are all hopeful of the chances of Andy Farrell's men going all the way and lifting the Webb Ellis Trophy in Paris on October 28. Michael Keaveny asked some of Cavan's best-known rugby players for their verdicts on how the tournament will go...

NIALL PATTERSON,

VIRGINIA RFC

Between coaching, playing and traveling to matches rugby is takes up a lot of time for Virginia RFC’s player coach Niall Patterson.

“I’m juggling my roles as head coach and taking part in the drills. On game day I consider my job done, our team manager Dave Warren is the person on the sideline on game day. I play as a centre, in either the 12 or 13 positions. We play in Ulster Championship 2. We can reach 50 clubs in Leinster before we get to the five clubs in Ulster. There’s a lot of travel involved, but we’re lucky rugby is a social game so after most away games we have a bit of food and a few drinks with the opposition team.”

How will Ireland do?

“It’s a hard group, with South Africa and Scotland and if we make it to the next round we will most likely play New Zealand or France. I’m hopeful we’ll do well, we could win it because we’re the most consistent team in the world but we always fall flat at tournaments. The World Cup is all about whoever turns up on the day.

Ireland’s most important player?

“It seems obvious but it’s Johnny Sexton. If he can stay rested and injury free he can elevate us to a new level. His replacements are doing well, but Johnny is still number one.”

Tournament dark horses?

The Pacific Island teams are doing well. Samoa ran Ireland close but Fiji had a great win over England in Twickenham recently. Fiji are among the favourites to go through in their group. They’ve had good preparation in the build-up, and are on the weaker side of the draw. If they get out of the group they could go on to cause some upsets.

Which non-Irish Player are you most looking forward to see?

I’m very disappointed that Ntamak is injured for France, I was looking forward to seeing him. I love seeing Duahane Van Der Merwe play for Scotland. He’s a hard player for any team to come up against. He’s a big man but carries the ball hard and at pace. I’d like to see him do well, but just not against Ireland.

Who will you support if Ireland are knocked out?

I lived in France as a kid so I would have to support them.

Who will be the player of the tournament?

Gary Ringrose is improving at a serious rate. It depends on how far Ireland go, but Ringrose could have a big tournament.

The top four in order?

Winners -Ireland, runners-up France, third Fiji and fourth Argentina.

ALASTAIR TRENIER,

CO CAVAN RFC

Alastair, who can play across the back row or in either of the centre positions, reports that Co Cavan has made a good start to the new season.

“We beat Virginia, who are in a higher division than us, in a pre-season friendly and drew our first league game against Holywood in Co Down. It’s frustrating because we could have won the game but it’s still good to pick up points on the first day, especially away from home.”

Alastair, who works as a farmer, says playing rugby can be a challenge but it is still something he loves.

“I’m busy with the farm and with family life as I have a young family with my wife Stacie. But it’s great to have something to take my mind off things and I also hate letting the team down.”

How will Ireland do?

Ireland will do okay, but since they are on the hardest half of the draw they could struggle. They’ll have to be considered for outright champions. If they win the quarter-final, they should go all the way.

Ireland’s most important player?

It has to be Sexton, he’s experienced, level-headed and very arrogant, it’s what we need to do well.

Tournament dark horses?

You can’t rule out the Pacific Islands for doing well, but Argentina are my dark horse tip and they could do very well. They’re on the good side of the draw because teams like England and Wales are terrible at the minute.

Which non-Irish Player are you most looking forward to see?

Former All Black Charles Pitau is back playing for Tonga at the tournament. He’s class to watch, the skill level of the Pacific Islanders is unbelievable.

Who will you support if Ireland are knocked out?

It’s tough to say, but I’d give Argentina my support. Teams like South Africa and New Zealand are always winning so it would be good to see Argentina do well.

Who will be the player of the tournament?

I can’t rule out the French scrumhalf Antoine Dupont for being player of the tournament, he’s a class act and has been one of the best players in the world over the last few years.

Top four in order.

Winners Ireland, Runners-up France, Third- Argentina, Fourth England

ANNA SMITH

VIRGINIA RFC

“I’m the captain of the team for this year and also carried out the role last year, having played with Ulster for about a year and a half. It was great to play for Ulster but it’s even better to play for my club, because Ulster has more players to pick from but smaller clubs are struggling for players, especially the women’s teams. I was a tighthead prop in Ulster, but I changed to loosehead and can play anywhere in the forward pack now.

How will Ireland do?

Ireland have the squad to do well. They should easily get beyond the quarter final and I’d go as far as to put money on them winning the tournament outright.

Ireland’s most important player?

It’s hard to nail it down to one player as different positions have different roles in the team. Johnny Sexton is very important in the backs, but so are players like James Lowe and Stuart McCloskey. Andrew Porter and Tadhg Furlong are important in the forwards.

Tournament dark horses?

I’d tip Argentina to pull something out of the bag.

Which non-Irish Player are you most looking forward to see?

South Africa’s scrumhalf Faf De Klerk is always very interesting to watch.

Who will you support if Ireland are knocked out?

South Africa or New Zealand

Player of the tournament?

Mack Hansen. He always comes in with some big carries and never gives less than 100%.

The top four in order.

Winners Ireland, Runners-up France, Third England, Fourth New Zealand.

KATE BARTLEY,

CAVAN RUGBY CLUB

Kate Bartley, the current women’s captain at Cavan Rugby Club and out half says that playing rugby is one of the best things she ever did.

“I started rugby nine years ago and honestly I’ve never looked back. Rugby has given me so many memorable personal and team achievements and I would be lost without it. It’s one of the few sports that has a position for every body shape and fitness level. Our women’s team is always open to new players of all abilities, we train Mondays and Wednesdays at 7.30pm.”

How will Ireland do?

I think Ireland will make it to the final but there is some seriously tough competition to face in the likes of France and South Africa.

Ireland’s most important player?

I may be biased because I play the same position but Johnny Sexton’s experience and game control is unmatched.

Tournament dark horses?

Fiji and Argentina could take some surprise wins.

Which non-Irish Player are you looking forward to seeing?

Antoine Dupont is one of the most exciting players to watch at the minute.

Who will you support if Ireland are knocked out?

I’d like to see Fiji doing well, no matter their opponent, they always play with so much heart.

Who will be the player of the tournament?

I think player of the tournament could be Caelan Doris.

Name the top four in order.

My top four in order: Ireland, South Africa, France, Argentina.