Irish hopefuls cannot afford to show mercy

IRELAND get back on the bike tomorrow against Russia (6am) and need to keep pedalling as furiously as they did at Eden Park last weekend if they are to make the most of that famous victory over Australia.

This may be a dead rubber in the eyes of many observers but this Irish side being sent out by Declan Kidney needs to make a statement every bit as big as the one required ahead of the Wallabies encounter in Auckland a week ago.

Last weekend set the standard for future Ireland performances and this starting XV, showing nine changes from the line-up which began the Australia match, has been charged with continuing the momentum and edging their country closer to a pool-topping place in the World Cup quarter-finals.