Skipper McGrath wants Ireland out of blocks quickly against Aussies

Ireland U-20 captain Luke McGrath believes they can crown their first ever meeting with Australia at this level with a victory in the opening game of the Junior World Championships.

The Aussies are the last of the major rugby nations Ireland will play as this tournament enters its sixth year and McGrath, one of just two survivors from last year, hopes they can repeat their opening day win when they ousted hosts South Africa 12 months ago.

McGrath, along with his fellow UCD and Leinster flanker colleague Josh van der Flier, are the only players to have experience of this tournament.

The third member of last year’s squad is Ulster’s Stuart Olding, who was called into the senior squad for the trip to the USA and Canada.

McGrath, capped 16 times now at U20 level, said they had settled in well at their base in Vannes and were really looking forward to tomorrow’s opening clash against Australia.

New Zealand and Fiji, who will play in the second game tomorrow night and are in the same pool as Ireland, are also based at the south Brittany seaside port.

McGrath said meeting his fellow captains at the launch in Nantes on Sunday, really put the tournament into context.

“It is a massive opportunity to play against southern hemisphere sides. We are really looking forward to it. The Six Nations was massive preparation for us and we have worked hard since then.

“And now that we have arrived and settled in France, everyone just wants to get out there and play.

“We have been saying that the first match is the most important, it can give you confidence and settle you into the tournament. It is just so important to start well.

“The weather is great, not too hot and not too cold and we are just looking forward to getting started,” said the former St Michael’s College captain.