Gordon D'Arcy on Rugby World Cup: 'I don't want to be a squad man - I want to be starting'

Gordon D'Arcy's partnership with Brian O’Driscoll for Leinster and Ireland became a world record but like all great double acts, assumption remained that there was a senior partner

Leinster's Gordon D'Arcy arriving for squad training

Leinster and Ireland centre Gordon D'Arcy has announced that he will retire from rugby after the World Cup

Gordon D’Arcy has been a vital part of the Leinster success story

Gordon D'Arcy's partnership with Brian O’Driscoll for Leinster and Ireland became a world record but like all great double acts, assumption remained that there was a senior partner

SPORTSFILE

Leinster's Gordon D'Arcy arriving for squad training

SPORTSFILE

Leinster and Ireland centre Gordon D'Arcy has announced that he will retire from rugby after the World Cup

Ben T'eo and Gordon D'Arcy

SPORTSFILE

Gordon D’Arcy has been a vital part of the Leinster success story

SPORTSFILE

Gordon D'Arcy's partnership with Brian O’Driscoll for Leinster and Ireland became a world record but like all great double acts, assumption remained that there was a senior partner

James Donoghue

June 23 2015 06:55 PM

Irish rugby player Gordon Darcy is confident he will give Irish rugby coach Joe Schmidt plenty of selection headaches ahead of the world Cup.

“I don’t want to be a squad man I want to be starting,” said Darcy who has soldiered on despite losing his formidable centre partner last year.

Brian O'Driscoll with teammate Gordon D'Arcy on international duty for Ireland

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Ulster’s Jared Payne and Connaught’s Robbie Henshaw was the preferred centre pairing for Schmidt in Ireland’s six nations title defence but Darcy remains fully focused on making the team.

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“I think I can offer something different than the two boys and it’s up to me to show that,” continued Darcy.

“Rugby is a brutal game and there is and there is going to be a few names left out of the world Cup squad.

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“I’m very focused in getting as fit as I can,” said the 81 timed capped international.

Darcy brought down the curtain on his Leinster career at the end of the season but doesn’t see the World Cup as a fitting send off, he see’s it as another shot at glory for Ireland.

“We’ve got a great group of players, we’ve got a great coach, we’ve got really solid preparation we’ve got great strength in department , so its all there,” said Darcy.