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"What the hell is a friendly in a rugby international!" - Keith Wood on Ireland's warm-ups

Keith Wood believes Irish fans shouldn't take too much out from the Rugby World Cup warm-up games...



"What the hell is a friend...
Rugby

"What the hell is a friendly in a rugby international!" - Keith Wood on Ireland's warm-ups

Keith Wood believes Irish fans shouldn't take too much out from the Rugby World Cup warm-up games. 

Speaking on Off The Ball tonight after a second defeat in a row for Ireland (this time against England), the former Ireland rugby captain says context is key.

"It's an unusual thing. It's a friendly. But what the hell is a friendly in a rugby international. That just doesn't make any sense," he said. 

Keith also emphasised that "it's not a disaster" that Ireland have lost games in their four-match build-up, given that international teams are at different phases of their preparation with Ireland not expected to peak until the Italy and France pool games come around.

"If the World Cup doesn't go very well, you might harken back to these days and say 'well, you could have read the tea leaves then and that things weren't exactly right," he added.

Keith also shared his impressions of England and also talked about Dave Kearney's chances of nailing down a starting spot.

Listen to the full interview via the podcast.

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