Simon Easterby highlights need for Ireland to make statement

Ireland have been challenged to make a statement during their three-Test series in South Africa and lay down a marker for the 2019 World Cup in Japan.

Joe Schmidt’s injury-hit squad have arrived in Cape Town for Saturday’s opening Test against the Springboks at Newlands looking for a first win on South African soil but forwards coach Simon Easterby has stressed there is an important, longer-term objective to the mission.

With World Cup planning already under way for Japan 2019, Easterby believes a first semi-final appearance in the competition will believes that, despite four wins over the Springboks in Dublin since 2004, winning for the first time in South Africa after seven previous attempts starting with a first meeting here in 1961 would represent a crucial stepping stone.