Mark McDermott's Irish under-21's kick-off the world championships against Tonga this evening in Glasgow with high aspirations. Although they only finished ninth in the 2003 tournament, nine players return a year older and wiser.
Their Six Nations campaign, marred only by a narrow defeat to England, also included a respectable draw in France and competent victories over the rest to leave them on a par with their senior counterparts.
McDermott, although not a household name in Irish rugby, is already held in high regard in Munster and Leinster circles. Word has probably spread to the other provinces by now after acting as assistant to both Michael Bradley and Mark McCall.
The former Blackrock College man moved to Shannon in 1997, in order to play for Munster and take up his role as an IRFU development officer.
At the time Blackrock and Leinster were overrun with hookers. Shane Byrne and Barry Browne were fighting for the first XV jumper, while Peter Smith was climbing rapidly through the ranks. Byrne fended off his rivals for the number two spot, forcing Browne to St Mary's and McDermott to Shannon, via Lansdowne. It was the beginning of professionalism in Ireland and the first tentative steps of McDermott's coaching career. He became a provincial development officer and progressed to the elite role with the Irish academy by 2002.
Today, he represents the future of Irish rugby. Following on the heels of McCall and Bradley, he is part of the new wave of indigenous coaches. A product of professionalism that ensures Irish rugby doesn't have to rely on "experts" from the southern hemisphere anymore.
Although on the under-21 ticket since 1998, McDermott was only accelerated officially into the head-coaches role two months ago when McCall was named as Alan Solomons replacement in Ulster. Also, there was a period of uncertainly as Declan Kidney considered whether he would take up the vague role offered by the IRFU.
"We only found out at the beginning of May about Mark's (McCall) appointment. Then there was the whole Declan Kidney saga. It just delayed things, but you have to take a look at the human side of things. Declan had to decide what was best for him and his family," says McDermott.
"It was fantastic that Mark got the elevation (to Ulster), obviously it wasn't ideal for our preparations. He could not have been expected to see out the World Cup as the pressures of the Ulster job left him with no time.
"Anyway, Pat Murray made the logical step up from the under-19s. We have a style of play that worked well in the Six Nations but Pat will bring his own individualism to the squad."
Today's match against the south-sea islanders is a guaranteed bruiser but McDermott will be keen not to play his full hand, considering Argentina and France are on the horizon. Three games in eight days leaves little room for mismanagement of players.
"We don't know a lot about Tonga," he admits "but they did qualify top of their group with Fiji and Samoa.
"Argentina also have nine of last year's squad (who finished third), a similar management and style. They will be physical up front and their backs play with a French style. We played them in the final pool match in 2003 but we lost after just running out of steam at the end."
At the end of this week long slog Ireland will reacquaint themselves with France. "We have a good old relationship with the French, they certainly won't be strangers to us. This year was the first time an Irish under-21 side got a result in France. We also beat them in the Six Nations last year so we know we are capable. It will come down to tactics."
What of the Irish talent? New Zealand come in with a squad full of Super 12 players, as to a lesser extent do Australia and South Africa, while the English and French boast plenty from their professional leagues. Only a handful of Irish players have experienced top-flight rugby this year. Wingers Tommy Bowe and Richard Lane have played Celtic League for Ulster and Munster respectively, while centre John Hearty lined out for Leinster. Several others are on the periphery of provincial set-ups and have at least one AIL season under the belt.
Despite the lack of top-level experience, this Irish pack is more than capable. Cork Constitution's Shane O'Connor joins captain David Gannon in a powerful engine room. Both will be given part-time contracts, with Leinster and Munster respectively, next season. Belfast Harlequins tight-head prop Declan Fitzpatrick is the rock that the scrum is built on, while Trinity's Jamie Heaslip has the potential to be the senior Irish number eight down the line.
Make no mistake; Ireland's task is massive, as they need to win all their pool matches to progress to the semi-finals. They come off a productive week in Portumna and arrived in Glasgow on Wednesday with just one injury concern surrounding full back Andrew Finn (groin).
McDermott is quietly confident. "The function of the week was to get everyone in sync with what the World Cup was all about and get them comfortable with the gameplan. The players rose to the occasion and if they continue with those commitment levels they'll give a very good account of themselves."
Today: Ireland v Tonga, New Anniesland (Glasgow), 5pm
Tuesday - June 15th: Ireland v Argentina, Dumbreck (Glasgow), 5.0 pm.
Saturday - June 19th: Ireland v France, Raeburn Place (Edinburgh), 2.30 pm.
Under-21 management team - Head coach: Mark McDermott (Forwards) Assistant coach: Pat Murray (backs) Manager: David Hassett Fitness advisor: Jason Cowman. Physiotherapists: Tara O'Meara/Damien Rice Video analyst: George Murray IRFU rep: Dion Glass. Baggage manager: Johnny O'Hagan.
IRELAND (Under-21 v Tonga): A Finn (Dolphin); R Lane (UCC), J Hearty (Blackrock College), G Telford (Dungannon), T Bowe (Queens University); G Steenson (Queens University), T O'Leary (Cork Constitution); J Wickham (Clontarf), D Fogarty (Cork Constitution), D Fitzpatrick (Belfast Harlequins); D Gannon (Blackrock College, capt), S O'Connor (Cork Constitution); B O'Connor (Cork Constitution), D O'Brien (Old Belvedere), J Heaslip (Dublin University). Replacements: C Geoghegan (UCD), K Doyle (UCD), N McComb (Dundee HSFP), O Hennessy (Dungannon), R Shaw (Wasps), M Glancy (Loughborough Univ), B O'Donnell (UL Bohemian).
