Muldoon expects tough test against O'Sullivan's Eagles

As Ireland prepare to take on the USA this Sunday, Leinster second row Devin Toner reflects on his call up to the touring party and Ireland blindside flanker John Muldoon talks about his first cap last weekend.

Toner said: "I'm absolutely delighted. I got the call on Tuesday just after celebrating the Heineken cup win with Leinster so after a brilliant weekend, I really wasn't expecting it at all and it was a real bonus to get called up."

"We came straight back to Dublin after the game and the airport in Edinburgh was packed as there was so much support for us over there and it was a great feeling, but as I said, it was a real bonus for me when I got the shout to join up with the team.

"I'm obviously over here as cover and if I get involved at all in the game it would be great, but I'm here to do as much as I can to support the team. Its good to be involved in the set up and it is good preparation for me ahead of the Churchill Cup with the Ireland A team."

"It's not totally foreign to me as I was involved in some of the squad training sessions during the six nations and know all the coaches, so it's a familiar enough set up and hopefully I can learn from my time here.

"After this week I am also looking forward to the Churchill Cup and working with the coaches again. I was involved in one two years ago, but I never got capped so I'm really looking forward to maybe getting capped this time around and getting some games under my belt and playing against some international class teams."

Ireland backrow and Connacht Captain John Muldoon talked about the challenge for the Ireland team this weekend.

He said: "It was a very proud day for myself and my family to get a cap and I suppose it's been a long time coming for me and it was a great day on a personal level. It was a great experience especially winning the game and hopefully I can keep myself in the frame to win some more caps in the future."

"I think we always expected Canada to come out and be very strong. They are a very physical, a very strong side in that respect and were very aggressive for the first 20 - 25 minutes. I think with the time period that we had together, we struggled especially in the first half to get some patterns together and to get a strong foothold in the game.

"But once we knuckled down in the second half things began to come together and hopefully with that attitude this weekend we can do the same."

"I enjoyed playing in the back row combination with Denis (Leamy) and Niall (Ronan). I've known Niall for a good few years as we played Irish U18 Youths together a long time ago, I think in 2000 was the last time and I've played against Denis a lot the whole way up.

"It was a good experience and the second half was a lot better and as we got a bit more continuity, we got to hold onto the ball a whole lot more so it meant we could get involved in the game more. The whole first half was very scrappy and there were a lot of breakdowns and unforced errors, so I am sure for the people who were watching at home it was not that pretty, but hopefully we can improve that."

"Looking at the USA this weekend they're another big strong physical team. I think rugby in the USA is really starting to grow with a lot more numbers playing and they're getting better and better as every year goes by.

"Of course with Eddie O'Sullivan there they will be well prepared and he will know a lot of the Irish players so I am sure his team will be well briefed on us."

"I'm delighted to get selected again and we are expecting a good hard fought game. The heat will no doubt be a big factor and although it's the same for both of the teams, I suppose we are not as used to the conditions so it will be a tough game for everybody involved."

"I think work rate will be really important just as it was last week and in the second half when we upped it a bit as the combinations got used to each other, things began to flow a bit better for us.

"With another week's training people know each other a little bit better and hopefully that will help us through. Come Saturday it's a test match arena so we are all looking forward to it and obviously everybody will be giving 100% to try and hold onto that jersey."