Tyler Ardron relishing Paul O’Connell meeting

Tyler Ardron has urged Canada to relish their chance to lock horns with a true rugby great when they face Paul O’Connell and Ireland in Cardiff on Saturday.

Toulon-bound lock O’Connell will bring down the curtain on his illustrious 13-year Test career at the end of this World Cup campaign, which begins against Ardron and the Canucks at the Millennium Stadium.

Few will give Kieran Crowley’s side, who are ranked 18th in the World Rugby rankings, much chance of causing an upset in the opening Pool D fixture. The majority of the 31-man squad is drawn from their domestic scene, with only six playing top-flight rugby outside their homeland.