Simon Zebo braced for Goode grief as Ireland aim to kick on past England

AS SOON AS the pause comes, you know what the answer’s going to be.

Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

Ireland players are more than happy to make kick-chase a priority in the Test arena. But surely, Simon Zebo, it’s not winning a contestable or hitting a catcher the instant his feet hits the ground that gives you the buzz that makes the game worth playing.

“Eh…. no,” comes the nicely-timed punchline.

“If I’m being honest it wouldn’t, but I’ve definitely [gained] satisfaction in seeing the team do well.

The Munster wing has two stand-out memories from Ireland-England fixtures down the years. The good: Shane Horgan’s last-gasp full-stretch try in Twickenham in 2006. The bad: England’s last visit to these shores, when he hobbled off early with a broken foot. This season, the Corkman has rediscovered the momentum he built up in the early portion of that Championship and has made himself Joe Schmidt’s first choice on the left wing despite some previous reservations the Kiwi appeared to have.

Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO

Zebo admits that he has been forced to improve on the less glamorous aspects of his game to reach his current status.

“I suppose the only different things in that respect [is] chasing and making more decisions in defence or the breakdown,” Zebo said in a library stripped of half its books in Carton House yesterday.

“They are things you don’t see so often, but when you do you just have to be more effective.

“The way the games have gone of late they haven’t been such wide attacking games. That’s no fault of ours I suppose, but I think they’ve been highlighted more instead of getting front-foot ball. So we just have to adapt.”

Click Here: Kangaroos Rugby League Jersey

Ireland’s guests at the Aviva Stadium this weekend have been forced to adapt in a more obvious way. Mike Brown has been unable to shrug off the concussion sustained against Italy 11 days ago and wing Jonny May was released back to his club Gloucester.

The changes – one enforced and one tactical – will see Exeter’s Jack Nowell deemed a better wing option to counter-act Ireland’s kicking game with Saracens’ Alex Goode recalled as fullback. Sunday’s hosts will already be well-briefed on Goode, not least those who have faced him in club action in recent seasons.

“We’ve played Saracens a lot in the past couple of years, and he has probably some of the best footwork I’ve ever seen attacking the line at pace and still being able to change direction,” Zebo says.

“It’s a very exciting back-three for them, and we know how dangerous they are. Alex Goode, his counter-attacking ability, will probably lead the line for them. So we’ll be doing well to keep him quiet.”

The wing, still searching for his second Six Nations try, added: “The two fellas who are coming in are quality operators and have played a lot at the highest level as well.

“I don’t think it will take away from their back three: the threats of pace, aerial ability and finishing are all still there, so we’ll have to be on top of our game to nullify their attack.”

As for Ireland’s attack, well: reach for the sky. The kick-chase may not be to everybody’s taste, but a win on Sunday would make it a perfect 10-in-a-row for Schmidt’s side – not to mention a giant stride towards defending the Six Nations title.

“When we see the lift the team gets from Tommy slapping a couple of balls back on our side, getting momentum, pushing on and getting scores, that’s what we’re doing it for.

“That’s the collective, and that’s what’s all-important in this squad.”

Choke conversation out of breath with Ireland refusing to take focus off EnglandTyrrell cleared, Carolan sticks to winning plans – Here are the Ireland Women and U20 teams