Wie worry as Coughlan faces US starlet in opener
Coughlan, from Cork Golf Club, has been paired with Scotland's Anne Laing and the duo will face the 14-year-old phenomenon Wie and Brittany Lang in the first day foursomes.
The big galleries expected to follow the match will add to the increased pressure Laing and Coughlan will face.
None of this will concern Wie, who has already competed in nine professional tournaments, but host nation captain Ada O'Sullivan feels her charges will rise to the occasion.
She has also stood by her assertion that some of the players in the American camp were unhappy about star attraction Wie hogging the limelight.
Martha Kirouac, her opposite number, has disputed the claim but any threat of a showdown other than the one between the two teams on the Merseyside links were dismissed by O'Sullivan.
The straight-taking Irishwomen said: "I've spoken to Martha. It's all been very amicable and fair and there is no problem on either side. We want the rivalry to stay friendly."
O'Sullivan preferred to talk about the feel good factor which has been enhanced by what she described as overwhelming support for her players, who are striving to end a run of three successive defeats by the Americans.
She said: "We've received, as a team and individually, in excess of 2,000 good luck messages.
"But from the tone of some of the e-mails you would have thought we were going into battle show them no mercy, that sort of thing."
One of the first letters of encouragement came from Sam Torrance, who led Europe to Ryder Cup victory over the United States at The Belfry in 2002.
Both O'Sullivan and Kirouac needed no reminding that all four trophies, the others being the Solheim and Walker cups, could end up on this side of the Atlantic for the first time if the hosts prevail on Sunday.
Kirouac admitted: "That has increased the pressure on us. My players understand the significance of it." As for the Wie factor, Great Britain and Ireland will not look upon her as a single figure.
O'Sullivan added: "As far as we're concerned she's one of eight members of their side."
Both captain have pledged to play all eight of their players tomorrow at some stage.
Meanwhile, Great Britain and Ireland yesterday played the United States at one of their own games, a Texas Scramble, in their final practice round.
Today's pairings: (GB and Ireland names first): Shelly McKevitt and Emma Dugglesby v Paula Creamer and Jane Park; Nicola Timmins and Danielle Masters v Saraah Tuarte and Anne Thurman; Anne Laing and Claire Coughlan v Michelle Wie and Brittany Lang.
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