Craig Casey hopes South African battles have him well prepared

DETERMINED: Craig Casey during an Ireland training session. Pic: INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Craig Casey is hoping Munster’s URC Grand Final success on South African soil last season can spark further success for Ireland at this World Cup.

The scrum-half is hoping to make his tournament debut on Saturday when Ireland face Tonga in Nantes in their second Pool B match ahead of heavyweight clashes against the defending-champion Springboks and Scotland, both of which are in Paris on September 23 and October 7 respectively.