Fringe players get chance to tango in Tonga

AFTER the disappointment of defeat to Australia last Saturday, the pressure is now on the remaining members of the tour party to ensure that Ireland revert to winning ways with a victory over Tonga.

With nine of the original party now safely back on Irish soil, Eddie O'Sullivan will look to his fringe players to put the show back on the road. That shouldn't be too difficult against the struggling Tongans.

The nations have only met once before, in the inaugural World Cup in 1987. Given the recent focus on the demands made on the modern player, it is rather interesting to recall the scenario which Ireland faced 16 years ago.