IN THE words of Dave Kilcoyne (UL Bohemian/Munster), Ireland’s is a happy camp ahead of the important closing Rugby World Cup pool fixture against Scotland on Saturday.
The veteran loosehead commented: “I’m not going to be saying about other coaching environments but this is definitely the best Ireland environment I’ve ever been involved in since I’ve been playing, 100 per cent.”
“I’m loving it over here, you read people writing about the incredible environment Faz (coach Andy Farrell) has created for the players. And I don’t say it for the sake of saying it, but I think his emotional intelligence is through the roof.”
He continued: “You look at that South Africa game (in which Kilcoyne played a late but important role), such a big occasion physically and mentally fatiguing and to have the foresight to give the lads two days’ break, he probably knew how mentally and physically fatiguing that game was going to be for the whole country probably.”
On his current well-being, Kilcoyne said: “I’m in as good a shape as I’ve ever been in. I’m feeling super-fit, everyone’s frothing at the mouth to be involved.”
Ireland have been installed as overwhelming 1/6 favourites to account for their Celtic rivals in Paris, 8pm.
Television coverage is with Virgin Media.
