No fear factor for Irish U21's

THERE is a palpable level of expectation in the Irish U21 camp as they prepare to take on Australia in the IRB World Cup semi-final today.

No fear factor for Irish U21's

The backroom team has had more than enough opportunity to assess the strengths and weaknesses of this evening's opposition at Hughenden, Glasgow, and they're quietly confident of continuing the impressive form which has seen off Tonga, Argentina and France.

Certainly, the sheer bulk of their opponents won't faze the Irish.

"As it happens, we're sharing the hotel with the Australians, and they're big boys, no doubt," said manager Dave Haslett. "But we're delighted with the way our guys have played so far and with the way they've coped with superior physique.

"One would have expected us to cope with Tonga but it was a tough game from a physical point of view. That was an ideal preparation for the second game against Argentina and we were really pleased with the way the pack held up against huge opposition.

"It could have been frightening for players having to square up against guys of that size but they did fine and, in fact, finished the stronger of the two sides.

"Argentina gave us a gruelling time up front but the boys managed to cope and, if anything, the pack got totally on top in the last quarter."

Having successfully negotiated that test, few expected Ireland to repeat the heroics against France in the final pool game, but they emerged with huge credit and a 29-19 win over a team that held them to a drew earlier in the season.

"I honestly don't think the boys will worry about the size of those Australians," insists Haslett. "They've already had to face up to teams with superior physique, and we have plenty of big players ourselves.

"Everything is motoring along nicely from our point of view. We've performed very well but nobody outside of the squad really expects us to win. That's the way we like it.

"Australia are big and have pace as well as power, but so do we. I honestly feel we can push them to the limit. I feel we can win if we play the type of rugby produced so far and certainly there is no fear factor.

"We have had a good opportunity to study the way Australia play, assess their strengths and weaknesses. They have a lot of strengths but I think they have a couple of weaknesses also. It's up to us to exploit it."

Haslett won't look beyond this match. "We're not even thinking of the possibility of reaching the final. It's been one game at a time so far and that's the way it will continue."

Already, Ireland have surpassed themselves in terms of achievement. If they do make the final against either of the two southern hemisphere giants, particularly the hotly fancied Kiwis, they will be rank outsiders.

But Haslett, coach Mark McDermott and his assistant Pat Murray, will be quick to remind them that once upon a time, Ireland's U19's set the standards in world under-age rugby when Declan Kidney was coach and Brian O'Driscoll the young talent.

PATHS TO THE SEMI-FINALS (Pre-tournament seedings in brackets)

Ireland (7): bt Tonga 43-5; bt Argentina 26-22; bt France 27-19

Australia (2): bt France 25-24; bt Tonga 64-0; bt Argentina 41-3

New Zealand (1): bt England 42-13; bt Russia 110-3; bt South Africa 49-27

South Africa (4): bt Scotland 69-15; bt Wales 27-26; lost New Zealand 27-49.

IRELAND: A. Finn (Dolphin) R. Lane (UCC), J. Hearty (Blackrock), G. Telford (Dungannon), P. McKenzie (Loughborough), T. O'Leary (Cork Con), J. Wickham (Clontarf), D. Fogarty (Cork Con), D. Fitzpatrick (Belfast Harlequins), D. Gannon (Blackrock) captain; S. O'Connor (Cork Con), B. O'Connor (Cork Con), D. O'Brien (Old Belvedere), J. Heaslip (Dublin University).

Replacements: C. Geoghegan (UCD), K. Doyle (UCD), M. McComb (Dundee), O. Hennessy (Dungannon), R. Shaw (Wasps), M. Glancy (Loughborough), B. O'Donnell (UL Bohemian).

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