Ireland's move to the next level may be delayed

The Six Nations Grand Slam champions of the Northern Hemisphere take on Australia, the wooden spoon holders from the Tri-Nations Championship, at Croke Park tomorrow.

On the face of it there should be only one winner but it won’t be as simple that for Declan Kidney’s team. There is massive pressure on them, not just because there are glaring question marks surrounding the match fitness and general form of several players in key positions but also because they have a major point to make.

Succeed against Australia and they go a long way to proving that they are worthy Six Nations grand slam champions and deserve their fourth place in the world rankings. Fail again at the hands of the weakest of the three Southern Hemisphere countries and critics will be well entitled to cast a few derisive glances in this direction.