Long after the South African’s decimation of the All Blacks or Fiji’s shock win over England and indeed Ireland’s problems in disposing of Samoa by four points in Bayonne last Saturday, the only memory from this game will be the injury that put an end to Cian Healy’s quest for a fourth World Cup.
A severe calf injury suffered by the 35-year-old prop in that final warm-up game meant it would be between five and 10 weeks before he was able to resume playing - a timeline which would give him no chance of participating in the tournament.
And so while Ireland’s victory with an understrength team kept our winning run in tact with a 17-13 victory, it came at a cost for the loose-head had the ability to cover across the entire front row as we saw against Scotland in the last Six Nations when he played much of the second half of that game operating as a hooker. He also can play the tight side if required.
The genial Dubliner was devastated on Sunday afternoon when the scan on his injury ruled out his ability to make the final 33 - something that was equally sad for Head Coach Andy Farrell, who gave Jeremy Loughman a leg up into the travelling squad.
"He just had a scan and he'll be out for a spell of time that won't be right, unfortunately, for Cian and for us, certainly for the start of the competition," Farrell said.
"It's devastating, isn't it? That's sport, that's life, that's rugby. Cian's big enough and old enough and experienced enough to be through these type of things before, I remember in 2013 on the Lions he got injured early and had to fly home. He's experienced something like this and understands that these things happen. He's devastated, as we are for him."
Farrell held out a glimmer of hope when saying: "We'll see how his rehab goes during it, you'd never know towards the back end if he could be a replacement or not. How that rehab carries on is something that we'll keep a track of as we go."
His captain and close friend Johnny Sexton was also gutted that the 125 cap holder would have to stay at home, claiming his presence would be missed around the squad.
"We're going to miss him. I'm gutted for him to miss this tournament. It has meant a lot to him in how he has prepared for it and how he has trained, so I'm gutted for him."
While this news dominated the press conference announcing the panel cull to 33 players, there was also heartache for winger Jacob Stockdale, who played well in the Samoan match, young Cian Prendergast and versatile back, Ciaran Frawley, all of whom were jettisoned at the final turn. Others in the frame but further down the pecking order who won’t be stepping on the plane to France are Jamie Osborne, Tom Stewart and Diarmuid Barron.
Despite both fighting injuries, hookers Dan Sheehan and Rónan Kelleher are named in the party with Rob Herring the third choice, although he too was a star turn in Saturday’s test against Samoa.
Farrell too has back the fact he has so many utility forwards to carry a 18 forwards and 15 backs split - unlike most of the big countries who opt for a 19-14 breakdown of players.
While Healy’s absence will be a loss in this regard, nevertheless the ability of Iain Henderson, Ryan Baird and Tadgh Beirne to operate in either the second or back rows means the Head Coach has the confidence to bring an extra back.
"Like I said, it's about what we've got and players who can play in a few positions. We've got a few of those across the forward pack. The balance of the squad for such a small group that goes to the World Cup, versatility within that is pretty important. The likes of Keith [Earls] and Jimmy O'Brien come into that category," he emphasized.
In terms of the weekend game, Ireland’s win meant they recorded a 13th straight victory but in driving rain in France, it was our opponents who impressed more than we did over the 80 minutes.
Indeed after going ahead in Bayone by 7-0 thanks to a driving try from Jimmy O’Brien but thereafter our line-out in particular failed to function properly and early in the second half, we found ourselves 13-7 in arrears.
The introduction of established stars Rob Herring and James Ryan managed to improve this facet of the game but both Farrell and lineout coach Paul O’Connell will concentrate on this crucial aspect in the two-week run-up to the start of the competition.
Farrell will understand a level of self-preservation away from injuries by the players either consciously or subconsciously in these warm-up games and should be heartened by the response of the players on the pitch when trailing in the second half.
The Ireland team regrouped and fine tries by r Conor Murray and Herring left them leading precariously by four points as outhalf Jack Crowley was unable to land either conversion.
Ireland: J O'Brien; M Hansen, R Henshaw, S McCloskey, J Stockdale; J Crowley, C Murray; C Healy, T Stewart, F Bealham; I Henderson (capt), T Beirne; R Baird, Jo van der Flier, C Doris. Replacements: R Herring, J Loughman, T O'Toole, J Ryan, P O'Mahony, C Casey, R Byrne, G Ringrose.
IRELAND SQUAD FOR WORLD CUP
Forwards (18): Ryan Baird, Finlay Bealham,Tadhg Beirne, Jack Conan, Caelan Doris, Tadhg Furlong, Iain Henderson, Rob Herring, Ronan Kelleher, David Kilcoyne, Jeremy Loughman, Joe McCarthy, Peter O'Mahony, Tom O’Toole, Andrew Porter, James Ryan, Dan Sheehan, Josh van der Flier.
Backs (15): Bundee Aki, Ross Byrne, Craig Casey, Jack Crowley, Keith Earls, Jamison Gibson-Park, Mack Hansen, Robbie Henshaw, Hugo Keenan, James Lowe, Stuart McCloskey, Conor Murray, Jimmy O’Brien, Garry Ringrose, Jonathan Sexton.
