GREGAN: KEEP CAM & CARRY ON IRELAND

GEORGE GREGAN claims Ireland should take inspiration from golfer Cam Smith in their bid to break through that Rugby World Cup quarter-final barrier for the first time.

Gregan was present at St Andrew’s in July to witness Smith (inset), a fellow Aussie, claw back a three-shot deficit with nine holes left to wreck

Rory Mcilroy’s dream of winning the

Open Championship for a second time.

World Cup winner Gregan believes that Smith’s career-best display in that final round is the kind of performance Ireland need if, as expected, they meet either the hosts or the All Blacks in the last eight at France 2023.

“I watched Cam Smith win his Major, he knew he had to birdie five holes in a row and get it done,” said Gregan. “The opportunity is there – you either do it or you don’t. And when they do break through it, Ireland will be very hard to beat.

“You either win and you go forward or you go home, it starts getting serious then. Break through that wall and they’ll be very hard to beat because they are playing very good rugby.”

Gregan loved Smith’s against-the-odds achievement in reeling in Mcilroy. “It was what live sport is all about,” said the 139-times capped Wallaby (right). “In live sport someone – or some team – will do something they’ve never done before because of the occasion.

“Cam had to come up with a PB. Rory wasn’t going to give it to him.”

Smith was in the kind of underdog role Ireland will find themselves in if they make it back to the World Cup quarter-finals and Smart Ball ambassador Gregan added: “It’s about executing in that moment.”

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