Jack Conan flags Fraser McReight as a 'smart, dogged' challenge for Ireland

THREAT: Jack Conan and Caelan Doris warn of the threat Fraser McReight brings to the clash on Saturday. Picture: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Ireland back-rowers Caelan Doris and Jack Conan are steeling themselves for battle royale with their Australian counterparts at the breakdown on Saturday night with openside flanker Fraser McReight appearing to be the focal point of the Wallabies’ threat.

Captain Doris has been switched to openside flanker after Conan’s inclusion at No.8, the jersey he wore in all three Tests for the British & Irish Lions during this summer’s 2-1 series victory over Joe Schmidt’s Australians Down Under. Both Irishmen have been doing their homework on the 26-year-old Queensland Reds star who caused them plenty of problems in Dublin a year ago and Doris said: “I'm playing seven up against McReight, who's been world-class over the last couple of years.

“One of the best sevens in the world these days, definitely. I think he was top poacher in the Rugby Championship and contests a ton of balls. So breakdown is going to be a big point.

“It's a pretty strong area of their game. They hold on to the ball quite a lot, play a high possession game. I'm sure they've got a pretty similar breakdown plan under Joe that he has implemented here in the past.

“That's an area that will be highly contested.” 

Assessing what makes McReight such a formidable opponent, the Ireland captain said: “He’s extremely fit. His work-rate is almost unparalleled. We saw a clip of him, I think it was the 76th minute of a game a few weeks back. He makes a tackle, gets off the ground, chases and gets on the end of a ball. Scores a try on the 76th minute. His stats each game are very high. Like I said, the number of poaches is right up there across the Rugby Championship. I think he has got a good skill set as well, he’s a good footballer. Has the ability to play the ball off the line. He’s not the biggest guy, but he carries pretty strongly as well. The standout thing is his work-rate.” 

Conan described McReight as “smart, dogged and relentless” and warned: “He will have a sniff at every breakdown. If you're late, lazy, sloppy, inaccurate, he'll be right in there.

“He makes massive inroads in that area. We know that not just as a back row but as a team, to be honest, from minute one to minute 80 because they have those kind of threats, lads who make big plays, physical players that demand respect and that are some of the best in the world.

“It'll be a huge challenge for us but I think lads are loving that and loving the last two weeks as a stepping stone to get better again.”