O’Gara: We must keep the faith

RONAN O’GARA has described next Saturday’s clash with the All Blacks as the “ultimate test” for an Irish side desperate to regain the form and confidence which fired them to Grand Slam glory last year.

O’Gara hopes the weekend win over Samoa will help rebuild self-belief within the camp and will help the team to rediscover their rhythm against the most feared team on the planet. However, he insisted that despite the doom and gloom, Ireland remain “a quality team”.

The manner in which Declan Kidney’s side stumbled to victory has earned harsh criticism from all quarters but the Munster legend insisted that ending a four-Test losing streak was the chief priority at the Aviva Stadium.