Ireland 14 Fiji 32

Ireland 14 Fiji 32

Ireland U20 46 Fiji U20 3

Ireland Under-20s 46 Fiji Under-20s 3

They were rival fly-halves at school who evolved into professional team-mates, but although Paddy Jackson’s potential at No 10 forced Luke Marshall to move a step further along the backline, it is Marshall whom both agree is the more free-spirited of the pair.

If we are feeling a little vulnerable and insecure after five consecutive Test defeats, just put yourself in the boots of the Welsh Grand Slam squad for a brief moment.

Fiji’s admission yesterday that 30 front-line players were unavailable for selection for their European tour paints a graphic picture — not all rugby nations are treated the same.

Declan Kidney’s hopes of bringing in some much-needed experience to Ireland’s ranks ahead of the must-win Test against Argentina later this month have been dealt a severe blow with the coach’s admission that Paul O’Connell is unlikely to play any part in the autumn internationals.

England 54 Fiji 12

BIGGER THAN the Lions, and bigger than the Tri-Nations decider. That’s how the visiting World Cup champion Springboks are looking at tomorrow’s clash with Ireland in Croke Park, according to assistant coach Gary Gold, who said yesterday that he “had not encountered anything as big as the build-up to Saturday . . . the pressure and expectations are bigger than they were before the first Lions Test in Durban or that final Tri-Nations clash in Hamilton.”

Ireland coach Declan Kidney today revealed Jonathan Sexton's Test debut offered compelling grounds to axe Ronan O'Gara for the first time since 2003.

AS DRESS rehearsals go, this was up there with the best. Ireland’s display against the inexperienced but gritty Fijians left coach Declan Kidney smiling despite the selection headaches he faces ahead of Saturday’s date with world champions South Africa.

Ireland 41 Fiji 6

Declan Kidney believes Ireland’s fringe players are eager to make an impact in today’s clash with Fiji at the RDS.

IT’S when you examine the clubs of the Fijian players in this evening’s Guinness Series international against Ireland at the RDS that you appreciate how short they are of the quality needed for success at the highest level.

A STUDY of the clubs providing Fijian players for this evening’s Guinness Series international against Ireland is an interesting indicator of the challenge Declan Kidney’s side can expect.

YANN DAVID will earn just his second cap for France in Friday’s Test against world champions South Africa.

I WONDER if by this time next week we will be questioning what all the fuss was about.

Ireland 14 Fiji 30

Wales captain Gareth Thomas will win his 100th cap in Saturday’s World Cup eliminator against Fiji after making a rapid return from injury.

BRIAN ASHTON must feel that if he is never to see Dublin again, it would be too soon.

New Zealand 91 Fiji 0

A SLIGHTLY experimental All Blacks will face Fiji in their first test of the year tomorrow as coach Graham Henry fine-tunes the side ahead of the three-test Lions series.

NEW ZEALAND will prepare for the Test series against the Lions with a warm-up match against Fiji.

Scotland opted to practise their line-out sessions in secret today in a bid to keep the Australians guessing before next weekend’s quarter-final shoot-out at the Suncorp stadium.

Rupeni Caucau underlined his status as the most exciting player at the tournament by scoring two tries and leaving Scotland 40 minutes from World Cup elimination as Fiji took a 14-6 at half-time in the pool match in Sydney.

Fiji 19 USA 18

France were short-handed but in an upbeat mood as they trained at Brisbane’s Ballymore Stadium today.

Gregor Townsend fears Fiji could bring Scotland’s World Cup adventure to a premature end despite the loss of Ifereimi Rawaqa.

Records could tumble at Lansdowne Road today, if Ireland defeat Argentina - it would be a record-equalling sixth straight test win in a row.

Scotland coach Ian McGeechan has made four changes, and one positional switch, to the side that upset the Springboks as he gives a number of his squad, including Gregor Townsend, an opportunity against the touring Fijians at Murrayfield on Sunday.

Ireland coach, Eddie O’Sullivan, will announce his starting-15 for this Sunday’s friendly clash with Fiji later today.

IRELAND’S ability to keep their line intact was as big a psychological boost as the rare victory over Australia.

New Zealand retained their Commonwealth Games sevens crown by defeating arch rivals Fiji 33-15 in the final.