There’s a ‘great buzz’ in Bordeaux as Ireland prepare to kick off their rugby World Cup campaign tomorrow.
Off the Ball reporter Aisling O’Reilly is in the French city ahead of tomorrow’s opener against Romania and has been talking to the team and supporters over the last few days.
She told Newstalk Breakfast it is ‘absolutely roasting’ in the city.
“It's highs of 35C the last few days and I believe it's going to be similar for Saturday when Ireland take to the field for their first World Cup game,” she said.
“So, it's going to be very, very tough conditions, but we were speaking to some of the players yesterday, including Johnny Sexton and he said they're very much up to the task and they're well prepared for that hot weather.”
'Your favourite Irish player?'
'Furlong - in French!'
The French and Irish fans are out in force in Bordeaux as #RWC2023 gets underway tonight!
@ashoreilly@VodafoneIreland | #TeamOfUs pic.twitter.com/VDojDNllts
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) September 8, 2023
Aisling spoke to one man who said he and his wife have built their summer holidays around the tournament.
“We were very lucky, we got the fights fairly right and we just decided to come over,” they said.
“We came out here on Tuesday and we're having a great time so far – it’s brilliant.”
They said it is great to see Johnny Sexton back on the team.
“Sure look, this is his last hurrah,” he said. “So please God, all will go well for him.
'I played Aussie Rules for Ireland.'
'Well, there's only 3 club teams in Ireland!'@ashoreilly ran into a former Aussie Rules teammate of Tadhg* Kennelly on her travels around Bordeaux last night
*No, wait - it was his cousin, Dennis@VodafoneIreland | #TeamOfUs pic.twitter.com/yZhKnsvSlw
— Off The Ball (@offtheball) September 8, 2023
He said the final is a long way away – but they will just look to enjoy things one game at a time.
“Sure look, please God they will do well but sure, it's good to be here and it's good to see it,” he said.
“It's going to be great to go and see the game, you know.”
Aisling said there’s “definitely a lot of anticipation” in France but manager Andy Farrell has told his players to embrace their status as World Number Ones.
“Tadgh Furlong yesterday said, ‘What pressure, what pressure is there? We're going out there to play rugby.’”
“They've just taken it in their stride, so hopefully you know there'll be a bit of luck on their side because I think in a World Cup, as long as it is, you'll need a bit of the rub of the green.
“So, it's very exciting, a great buzz here in Bordeaux.”
Main image is a splitscreen showing Johnny sexton (Image: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile) and the Fontaine des Girondins in Bordeaux.
