British & Irish Lions
• British & Irish Lions tour Australia in 2013
Ireland Rugby
Dempsey’s acknowledges Irish must improve!
It’s a relief to all of us that Friday night’s performance came now and not in the middle of the World-Cup campaign in France, and it has proved a sobering reality for Girvan Dempsey.
“We were predictable and one-dimensional. We have to ask more questions of the opposition,” he said.
“But it’s a lot better to get that performance out of our system.”
All the hope for a glory match before setting off on a campaign on the continent was dashed by an Italy side that made Ireland pay for it’s misfiring.
“The pace and physicality of the game was another step up from Bayonne the previous week.
“It was a proper Test match, the first of the year for many players.
“There’s no panic at the moment but it’s a shame we haven’t improved since playing Bayonne.
“We will have to cause France and Argentina more problems because they’ll be a lot more potent.”
The brightest spot for the Irish was that they didn’t pick up any more injuries. Paul O’Connell took a knock to the ribs, but is in no douby for the tournament opener against Namibia on September 9th.
Shane Horgan, Brian O’Driscoll and David Wallace – first team regulars who missed out against Italy – are recovering as expected from their respective knee, fractured sinus and ankle problems.