Joe Schmidt confident Ireland will maintain World Cup focus
Sunday 9 August 2015 17:50, UK
Ireland’s players will not be "spooked" by the hip injury that threatens to end Tommy O'Donnell's World Cup hopes, according to head coach Joe Schmidt.
Munster flanker O'Donnell required oxygen after suffering a nasty blow in the closing stages of Ireland's 35-21 World Cup warm-up win over Wales at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday.
The 28-year-old should learn his fate in the next few days, but his chances of reaching full fitness in time for the World Cup appear to be slim.
However Schmidt has not given up hope of being able to select O'Donnell, and insisted Ireland's players will not fear injury across a month of further warm-up clashes.
"I don't think any player gets distracted or spooked by injuries," said Schmidt.
"They know, they've been playing the game long enough.
"I think if you're spooked or distracted by something, then you're more at risk, so I think they'll just forge ahead."
Schmidt will cut his squad this week as the August 31 deadline to name his final World Cup 31 edges ever closer.
Munster duo Keith Earls and Donnacha Ryan enhanced their World Cup prospects with fine showings as both ended 29 months without Test rugby in the victory over Wales.
I think if you're spooked or distracted by something, then you're more at risk, so I think they'll just forge ahead
Ireland start their Pool D World Cup campaign against Canada in Cardiff on September 19 and with Schmidt's first serious squad cull on the cards, that tie inches ever more into overall consciousness.
"I don't think they're ever completely out of the picture, because there can be injuries and there can be illnesses," said Schmidt.
"Selection gets harder and harder if guys keep putting their hands up, and that's part of the selection conundrum that does make it a headache, but it's the headache we want to be honest.
"We don't want something to be clear and obvious because someone hasn't performed. We want to make decisions because two or three players have competed for the same spot."
