KEITH Wood’s son is a chip off the old block in many ways – though he’s far from a hard-nosed hooker like his dad was.
Tom Wood has been named to start at fly-half for Ireland’s Under 20s versus France on Friday evening.
News of Wood junior’s big day was warmly greeted by Irish rugby supporters, however, plenty joked around about the altogether different position he plays from his father.
One person tweeted: “The apple falls far from the tree.
“From perhaps the greatest hooker, ever, to an out-half, no matter how good, is a sad devolution indeed.”
Among the replies though, Ian Lazenby fired back: “Woody was an out half in a hooker’s body (laughing emoji).”
This year’s competition has been more of a struggle for Ireland’s next generation than fans have become accustomed to.
They sit fourth in the table with one win to two defeats.
England are on course for a Grand Slam having battered Neil Doak’s group 19-3 in the opener.
Saturday’s main event meeting at the Aviva Stadium could at least see Simon Easterby’s older charges maintain their path towards a Grand Slam.
There’ll be additional weight around the titanic match-up as it’ll serve as a final farewell in front of an Ireland home crowd for Conor Murray, Peter O’Mahony and Cian Healy.
On Wednesday the Munster scrum-half detailed his outlook going into such a momentous occasion for him and his two fellow veterans.
He said: “It will be emotional and my genuine overriding feeling is happiness and gratitude.
‘I’m not just throwing those words out there. I’ve played for Ireland a good few times and been very lucky.
“Yeah, when the anthems are on and things like that, you’ll get a bit emotional but it would be different if it was a dead rubber.
“This is France at home and we’re in a good position.”
The 35-year-old, who will continue his club career abroad next season, insisted he won’t allow himself to get too emotional in order to maintain a grip on his performance level if he does get on.
He added: “It’s going to be a hell of a Test match and getting too emotional, you’ll just get in your own way and it will be too much.
“I don’t think there’s any message needed for the fans for this one.It is such a big game and everyone knows what’s riding on it.
“I don’t think the kick-off time has any bearing on the atmosphere. You know by the end of the warm-up what the vibe will be like.
“That’s part of the connection the fans over the years. They know their rugby well.
“They know how much is on the line and it will be hopping. It will be right up there.”
