World Cup 2007: Ireland's pool may, once again, have more booby traps than any other given it will be the only one that currently has three of the world's top eight countries, but the sheer logistics of the schedule for Rugby World Cup 2007 - which were announced yesterday - are about as reasonable as Eddie O'Sullivan could have hoped for.
Ireland will play African and European qualifiers in Bordeaux before running into their main pool rivals, France and Argentina, in Paris, so unlike all their pool rivals they will only have two bases in France, with the matches scheduled over a 21 day period.
After the hosts and the leading Americas' qualifier, almost certain to be Argentina, kick off the tournament and Pool D on September 7th in the Stade de France, Ireland enter the fray two days later in Bordeaux when playing the African qualifier - liable to come from Namibia, Morocco or Tunisia.
They then meet the third ranked European qualifier, which could come from the likes of Spain, Portugal, Romania or Georgia on September 15th.
Given the temperatures are likely to be quite warm in the south of France at that time of year, that second outing conceivably offers the Irish management an opportunity to rest some of the frontline players in readiness for the game against France in the Stade de France six days later, before the conclusion of the pool sees Ireland presumably play their old RWC foes from 1999 and 2003, Argentina, in the Parc des Prince on September 30th.
If so, Argentina can have less to complain about than was the case in Australia two years ago, when their four pool games were cruelly crammed into a 17-day period.
By contrast, their group campaign is spread over 23 days, although between again fronting up against the hosts in the tournament opener and the time they play Ireland in Paris, Argentina will have taken a more scenic route via Lyon and Marseilles to play the African and European qualifiers.
One of the ironies of the schedule is that despite being the main hosts for the first time ever, France may be compelled to compete in the one quarter-final to be held outside France, as the pool D runners-up will be obliged to play the pool C winners in Cardiff.
Indeed, although qualifying from Pool D will be an achievement in itself, the incentive for winning the group is significant given the winners will remain in Paris and play the Pool C runners-up, likely to be Scotland, whereas not alone will the runners-up be transported to Cardiff for the quarter-finals, but they will almost certainly run into the All Blacks.
Ireland's pool games against the African and European qualifiers will be in the Stade Chaban Delmas, which has happy memories for Irish rugby given it is the same ground where Munster famously beat Toulouse in the Heineken Cup semi-finals in 2000. Then called Parc Lescure, it has been renamed after the famous Bordeaux politician.
The 48-game tournament will be spread over 44 days of competition, with the 40 pool matches concentrated over three weeks and four weekends and ensuring a minimum of 14 non-playing days during the pool phase. To facilitate spectators and TV audiences, 36 matches will played at weekends. The 48 fixtures will be spread between 12 cities, including Cardiff and Edinburgh. Each city is to host at least three matches with the exception of Edinburgh, which will host two matches.
Syd Millar, Chairman of RWCL: "We have a common ambition with the French Organising Committee, to organise the best Rugby World Cup yet."
"The rugby World Cup is the third largest sporting event in the world. The 2003 World Cup attracted 1.9 million spectators and 90,000 visitors to Australia. France is an ideally placed country and we hope to increase these figures," he added.
Bernard Lapasset, President of the French Organising Committee said: "We will prepare for this World Cup an unforgettable event for the world of rugby. It will be a great festival in line with the values of sharing and friendship our sport conveys."
Lapasset added: "With Cardiff and Edinburgh we have two great cities for the games. And in France 10 cities who are passionate about rugby."
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