McFadden: Australia performance was always in us

Despite a poor run of form which saw Ireland lose all four World Cup warm-up games and struggle past the USA, Fergus McFadden insists the squad always believed they had a big performance in them.

Last Saturday’s 15-6 triumph over the Wallabies shocked most of the rugby world but not McFadden who noticed preparations had intensified going into the game.

"We always felt we had that performance in us, even though everyone else seemed to be writing us off,” he wrote in his World Cup diary for TheScore.ie

“It was just a case of can we do it on the day against Australia. Thankfully, the lads did. Personally, I felt there was definitely an edge to training last week in the run-up to the game with the Wallabies.

“There seemed to be an extra focus in lads and training was pretty sharp.”

Impressive as the victory was, the Leinster man knows that Ireland need to put in more performances of the same level if they are to achieve their potential in this World Cup and McFadden hopes he can play a role.

“The bottom line is that this performance has to be our baseline level if we want to achieve anything.

“So the focus turns to Russia now on Sunday. When my name wasn’t announced last week I was disappointed obviously but I’m sure Deccie is going to mix it up and hopefully I’ll be one of those getting a look in.

“These group games are going to be down to a squad and I know I’ve got a part to play.”