O’Connell raring to go for Italian job

Paul O’Connell has come through Ireland’s final team session this morning and has been declared fit for Sunday’s crucial World Cup Pool C match against Italy in Dunedin.

The Ireland lock was an injury doubt during the week and was struggling with a hamstring strain, but O’Connell declared that he is fit and raring to go for the clash with the Azzurri.

“It’s good,” said O’Connell on the injury.

“I did full training yesterday and today, so I’m happy enough.”

Ireland have not lost a competitive test to Italy since 1997 and have never lost to them in the Six Nations. O’Connell, however, stressed that complacency was not an issue in the camp, and that Italy would throw everything at his side.

“(They’ll bring) Massive physicality, it’s always been that way with Italy. They’ve always been strong up front. Their nine and ten have been playing really well as well; Orquera and Semenzato have been playing really well.

“It’s always been very tough against Italy over the past years, and tomorrow will be no different. There’s been a lot of talk about their scrum. That’s going to be a tough part of the game as well.”

“They’ve improved every time we’ve played them, so we’re expecting a tough game.”

Tomorrow’s test is essentially a knockout game with the victors progressing to the quarter finals in Wellington, with the losers scheduled for the earliest plane back home.

The majority of the Irish team ply their trade with the Irish provinces and have buckets of experience in Heineken Cup knockout rugby, but O’Connell insists that this will not give his side an edge come kick-of time in Dunedin.

“I suppose knockout rugby is something we do know a lot about. A lot of the Italian players as well play with some big clubs in Europe and would have progressed to the knockout phases of the French league.

“Certainly we know a lot about knockout rugby, but a lot of the Italians do as well.”

Meanwhile, Ireland backs coach Alan Gaffney is looking forward to his side having a dry track at the fully enclosed Forsyth Barr Stadium.

Ireland have had to endure difficult conditions for their previous three pool games, but will have a guaranteed fast pitch under the roof in the Otago stadium.

“They’ll (opportunities) be there that’s for sure,” said Gaffney on the conditions inside the ground.

“We’ve done our homework on them (Italy) and we think we know where we’re going to attack.”