All down to timing for Toner
FORTY-FIVE times Devin Toner has lined out for Ireland but appearance No 46 tomorrow night brings a fresh challenge — that of staving off the boredom in the drawn-out countdown to a novel 8.05pm international match kick-off.
A 5.30pm start is usually the latest the second row has had to prepare for during his Test career since his 2010 debut, but Cardiff is set to be different. Lots of resting, lots of eating, lots of killing time.
‘It’s pretty boring,’ he said about a hurdle he has encountered a few times with his province. ‘We’ve had a few of them with Leinster, so we’re used to them.
‘Basically, you get up when you want, have breakfast and then go back to bed for a while. There is usually a lot of sleeping in, watching iPads and laptops and stuff. There is getting up as well and walking around the place.
‘It’s all individual (preparation), whatever you want to do. I just watch stuff on the iPad and laptop, but once you get closer to the match you start going over your notes and moves.’
Re-watching The Sopranos is Toner’s current entertainment diversion, but that will be interspersed with much fuelling tomorrow to ensure his energy levels are just about right come the nighttime kick-off.
‘Breakfast at around 10,’ he explained, looking ahead to his likely Friday.
‘Eggs, toast, bacon, porridge, back to bed. Lunch at 12.30 or 1. Chicken, rice, pasta. Go back and then pre-match meal around 3 or 3.30. Same thing, chicken, rice, pasta and then probably Bolognese. Then you will be done until after the game.’
Hardly a glamorous sounding Friday but it will be all worthwhile if the result goes Ireland’s way and the destination of the championship title is prolonged into the final week and that Dublin showdown with Eddie Jones’ defending champions England.
‘It’s a massive game,’ he continues. ‘The atmosphere is going to be massive. There is a lot of rivalry there because we see them nearly every week, play them in the (Pro12) league all the time. It’s a game we have got to get excited for.’
And, crucially, be on their best behaviour. ‘We gave away too many penalties,’ he said, recalling Ireland’s 2015 Six Nations crash in Wales.
‘They went 12-0 up. It’s all about discipline, not giving away stupid penalties. I can’t remember specifically the penalties. The referee is not really in our control, but if we are on the wrong side it is a penalizable offence.’
Lineout tactician Toner has travelled hoping Ireland’s lineout can be on the money as it was for most of February, adding he had no worry about the ability of their maul to turn pressure into points considering one costly first-half knock-on against France.
‘Of the 22 (catches versus France) I’d said 15 or 16 were great and that’s a good number for a Test match… we have confidence in our maul. We haven’t capitalised as much as we should have so far but if we get enough chances we will do.’
‘We see them nearly every week, there’s a lot of rivalry’