Ireland Catch Up With O’Connell & Zebo
2nd March 2015 By Munster Rugby
Post-match reaction from Munster’s Paul O’Connell and Simon Zebo following their role in Ireland’s decisive win over England in the 2015 RBS 6 Nations.
Yesterday’s 19-9 win at the Aviva Stadium saw Ireland make it three wins from three, moving them to the top of the 6 Nations table on 6 points with two games left to play – away to both Wales and Scotland respectively.
Following the game that marked his 99th appearance in the green of Ireland, Captain O’Connell discussed the Irish performance.
“We got off to a very good start, our discipline was excellent and we got a few penalties and denied them a few penalties.
"I think we were held up over their line twice as well in the early part of the game and came out and played really well in the first 25 minutes of the second half.
"We had a good lead and I don't think we sat back, I think they are a good team and they were always going to come at us.
"To go 19-3 up was great and we really put it beyond them.
"We spoke about how important today was, it's an excellent England side, for us to have produced the level of performance we did, there was a lot of talk and a lot of meetings during the week and we lived up to what we said."
The Irishmen may have comprehensively quelled the English threat, but Simon Zebo was quick to play down any talk of a Grand Slam following yesterday’s action, instead maintaining that Ireland’s sole focus is on the challenge of Wales at the Millennium Stadium in under a fortnight’s time.
“It’s a huge test. Wales on their day can beat anyone. They’re an unbelievably dangerous side and that will be a massive focus for us now.
“It’s the biggest game of our season and we’ve just got to prepare as best we can to come out on the right end of it.”
On further talks of a Grand Slam.
“We’re kind of in a bubble, we don’t really get wind of these exterior things, these things from the outside that would be whispered about. We’re just constantly trying to improve and constantly training and in meetings.
“We don’t even get a chance to think about these kind of things. We’ll just be focused on Wales.”
The Ireland squad will train in Belfast this week as they begin preparations for the Welsh encounter on Saturday March 14th – KO 2.30pm.
