Ireland’s teaching employees and gamers are braced for a “big step up” on the Rugby World Cup as they put together to face the “serious threats” of Tonga in Nantes.
Andy Farrell’s males launched their marketing campaign by working in 12 tries throughout a thumping 82-8 demolition of Pool B minnows Romania.
Ireland have pivotal Paris appointments in opposition to South Africa and Scotland on the horizon however really feel they can not afford to underestimate the nation sitting fifteenth within the Test rankings.
“They’ve got some of the best open field runners in world rugby,” defence coach Simon Easterby stated of Tonga.
“They’ve got guys in the forward pack that can mix it, they can offload. And they’ve got attacking threats throughout their back line.
“It’s a real challenge for us defensively, it’s one that we’re probably ready for after the Romania game. We didn’t have to get through that much work without the ball.
“It’s going to be a big step up from the challenge Romania threw at us.
“They (Tonga) attack well but they certainly want to come and hit and put us off our rhythm.”
Head coach Farrell spoke of specializing in quick challenges and respecting Tonga, who’re making ready for his or her opening match of the match, when asserting a powerful group on Thursday afternoon.
Aside from sidelined hooker Dan Sheehan and first-choice scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park, the Englishman has gone with arguably his most popular beginning XV, which options 4 personnel modifications from final weekend.
Full-back Hugo Keenan feels it’s straightforward to pay attention sport by sport, regardless of the looming menace of the Springboks.
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“Yeah, I think it has (been),” he stated. “I know throughout the pool, there is tough games coming up but Tonga are a serious side, serious threats and individuals across the team.
“We’re only looking at them, we’re only focusing on this week.”
Following the scorching situations of their Bordeaux curtain-raiser, the place temperatures reached 36 levels Celsius, Ireland skilled in 30-degree warmth on Friday afternoon at Stade de la Beaujoire.
Prop Tadhg Furlong joked about needing to layer up as he prepares for a stern take a look at in opposition to Tonga’s cumbersome front-row forwards.
“I was thinking of putting a jumper on today compared to what we’ve been used to,” he stated.
“Although it is hot, it doesn’t feel as hot (as previously). (It’s been) like an oven, or someone blowing a hairdryer in your face, for the last few weeks.”
Referring to the weekend problem, he stated: “Of course we respect them. Sometimes in scrummaging there’s no replacement for displacement.
“Weight makes it heavy, it makes it hard, that’s the nature of it and it’s a big challenge from a big pack. We have to be technically good.”
