2019 Summer Test Series

Competition For RWC Spots Stiff In Ireland Camp

Competition For RWC Spots Stiff In Ireland Camp

Andrew Porter comments on trying to make the World Cup squad.

Aug 14, 2019 by Alex Goff
null

Unlock this video, live events, and more with a subscription!

Sign Up

Already a subscriber? Log In

Ireland got that one game out of the way and now the one team from the British Isles that hasn't ever made the Rugby World Cup semis is hoping this will be the year.

Having beaten Italy, Showing well against England will be an indication of whether they can.

Prop Andrew Porter, still maybe on the bubble for Ireland having earned only his 15th cap (and only his fourth start), thinks they are on their way.

Ireland's Summer Test Series On FloRugby

Saturday, August 10

Ireland vs Italy (No On-Demand)

Saturday, August 24

England vs Ireland ( London, 10:00 AM ET)

Saturday, August 31

Wales vs Ireland (Cardiff, 9:30 AM ET)

Sunday, September 7

Ireland vs Wales (Dublin, 9:00 AM ET)

All available for US-Based Subscribers

“I think it’s great to start off a season with a win like that and especially the first game of the season," Porter told Daire Walsh of IrishRugby.ie. "Obviously things aren’t always going to go to plan and stuff like that, but we worked around that. Came out with a good win, especially guys making their debuts,

“It was great to get them the game-time as well and I think they acquitted themselves very well on the occasion. It’s like any game really. We have to dig in and grit your teeth a bit. Push forward the hard yards. The team did really well to come back from that."

But that was Italy. Now we're talking about an England team that looked pretty good in beating Wales.

But at the same time players are thinking about their own problems. Head coach Joe Schmidt has about 12 cuts to make before he names his World Cup squad.

“It’s 43 in the squad at the moment and it has to be cut to 31," said Porter, voicing what's on many players' minds. "The competition is great because it pushes everyone and pushes yourself as well. I don’t think anyone is really safe at the moment."