The advent of a new player invariably energises a team and even its more established players. Facing into his fourth World Cup, Brian O’Driscoll lauded the arrival of Conor Murray for his first test start, never mind his first World Cup, on foot of Declan Kidney announcing the Irish side at lunchtime today in New Plymouth.
"Conor is a confident young man. We were talking about him behind his back, about his probable man of the match performance in the Magners League final," said the Irish captain in reference to Munster's win over Leinster at Thomond Park last May.
"Although Wally (David Wallace) picked it up, the boys thought Conor was outstanding. He's shown great form and presence in training. I have no doubt he's up to the challenge. He's definitely got the right temperament for this.
I've got to know him a little bit better as a person over the last few weeks. He's coming out of his shell a little bit." He's confident but not arrogant. He has good inner belief. His career is starting on a pretty good footing. It's not easy for a young guy like him to come into a squad. I was that person once upon a time. It's difficult to be yourself, you tend to stay in your shell a bit more and let others do the talking. But the more confident you get with your surroundings, your personality shines through."
Murray's inclusion is certainly a brave call, and explaining it, Kidney said: "Conor finished last season strongly and has gone well in pre-season for us.
He deserves his chance. He brings his own skill set to the game and I'm looking forward to seeing him play."
Along with the injured Cian Healy, Rob Kearney and Sean O'Brien have been given another week to overcome hteir groin and knee injuries, so Geordan Murphy and Shane Jennings start, while Keith Earls has been preferred to Andrew Trimble on the left wing.
O'Driscoll played for over eight years of his test career under O'Sullivan, first as backs/assistant coach and then as head coach, during which time he was also made captain. "I enjoyed working with Eddie," he said yesterday.
"It was a long period in my international career, eight years from when he was assistant coach to head coach."
"He had a huge part to play in my international career. he did some great things for Irish rugby and was unfortunate not be on the receiving end of a Grand Slam.. But he shaped the team in a big way to go on and achieve that. He deserves credit for that."
"I've no doubt whatsoever that Eddie will be fired up for this one," he added with knowing smile. "He'll be champing at the bit for this game. I read a few comments that they won't be lack in motivation because of the date and what's at stake, but he said his job will be to keep them calm and controlled. He's got the experience to do that. I'm sure he'd love to get one over us, I don't know many coaches who don't want to get one over their old team." Ireland's struggle to earn a bonus point in their opening World Cup assignment against Namibia four years ago, and their failure to do so against Georgia a week later, contributed to them needing a fanciful bonus point in the final pool game against Argentina.
"The only importnat bonus points are the four that are on offer at the start of the match," ventured Kidney yesterday. "Let's see if we can get four first. Bonus points are irrelevant at the start of a game. We're not thinking that we'll be running over anyone. The USA don't let that happen to them in the World Cup. We'll take a 3-0 win."
