Murray Kinsella reports from Cardiff
EARLY ON FRIDAY morning in Dublin Airport, green jerseys everywhere and a pint or two of the black stuff settling any preliminary nerves.
Indication, if it was even needed, that the Irish support was ready for a timely weekend of Six Nations rugby in Cardiff.
Barely were we off the plane than we had run into an old acquaintance, the Cork man agreeing that there were minor concerns about playing this game at the Millennium Stadium, whatever about the joys Ireland have had there in recent times.
But Joe will have his players ready, there can be little doubt about that.
If the captain’s run is any indication, then this Ireland team are perfectly comfortable and relaxed coming into a game that might decide the outcome of this championship.
Confidence so often comes from knowing that one is truly and totally prepared; you can’t simply conjure it on the day.
“Heads!”
Jamie Heaslip and Peter O’Mahony had a good-natured laugh as a high ball landed close to the onlookers, while Ian Madigan and Jordi Murphy joked around on the other side of the pitch and the ever-professional Paul O’Connell got his 35-year-old body fully activated beneath the posts.
It was nice to hear the captain speak of Murphy’s excitement at stepping onto the Millennium turf for the first time; a reminder of the emotional element behind the game plans, physical contests and technical skills we’ll see later this afternoon.
On the walls of the corridors inside, the Welsh Rugby Union has hung jerseys from the 2012 Grand Slam season, including a signed green garment.
Among the varyingly legible names are Paul O’Connell, Tommy Bowe, Mike Ross, Rob Kearney, Cian Healy, Conor Murray, Johnny Sexton, Rory Best, Sean O’Brien and Jamie Heaslip, Peter O’Mahony, Eoin Reddan and Sean Cronin.
What different times Ireland are in now, despite retaining each one of the above cast. 2009 and 2013 are better memories, of course, but there’s no sign of shirts from those years in the Millennium.
The stadium on the banks of the River Taff is as city central as any 74,500-seater could hope to be, and it lends itself so wonderfully to what many agree is the best Six Nations weekend of them all.
From O’Neills to The Gatekeeper, The Prince of Wales to Tiger Tiger and Cardiff Arms Park to Gassy Jacks, the festivities got underway last night and will resume from early on Saturday.
It’s the action inside the open-roofed Millenium Stadium that will make or break the weekend for Irish visitors and Welsh hosts though, a game which many have found difficult to call.
Speak to Cardiffians and they’ll express a respect for what Ireland have achieved so far under Schmidt, even if there remains a confidence in the ability of Warren Gatland’s side to deliver when they need it most.
The nation will come to a standstill at in the lead up to 14.3o, from Llanlleiana all the way south to Rhoose in the Vale of Glamorgan. They live and breath rugby in the land of the blood-red dragon.
Back in the capital, those in red will hope to spill out of the Millennium Stadium with a bounce in their step after Gatland’s men re-ignite championship hopes, but O’Connell and his teammates have almost forgotten the sensation of losing.
The Gatekeeper was known as the Grand Theatre of Varieties up until the 1930s, but Schmidt would gladly do without any theatrics or drama returning to Westgate Street this weekend.
The rest of us anticipate another Six Nations thriller.
