Irish players may hold review of World Cup

World Cup News:The Irish rugby players' union, IRUPA, are considering an independent review of Ireland's World Cup campaign, purely from a player perspective, following a request from several members of the Ireland squad.

This would be conducted anonymously, similar to the process carried out by the English players' union two years ago.

The RFU were exposed to severe criticism once the players were not constrained by a backlash from their employers.

Any IRUPA survey would be outsourced with the 32 players - Tommy Bowe and Tony Buckley were part of the squad for a time - to receive a questionnaire by post. This may be extended to include all 45 players in camp until the final squad reduction.

The IRFU CEO, Philip Browne, has already stated an internal review of Ireland's disastrous campaign will take place. However, Browne also confirmed the union's full support for head coach Eddie O'Sullivan who signed a four-year contract extension before the World Cup.

Players will also be questioned within the IRFU process but, considering their direct employers will be asking the questions, not much insight into the inherent failures of France 2007 are expected to be revealed.

The majority of the squad are financially dependent on IRFU short term contracts so they will hardly be forthcoming in airing grievances about their paymasters to their paymasters.