Tough buildup boosts Ireland

By CHRIS RATTUE at the World Cup

The Irish are smiling. The team from the country with a reputation as lovable losers in world sport could not be happier with their preparation for Sunday's World Cup quarter-final with France.

Ireland are $50 outsiders to win the Webb Ellis Cup, and France are paying surprisingly high odds of around $10.

The betting prices highlight the difference in the expectations for the two teams, yet Ireland have won three of the past four Six Nations meetings with the French.

After training in the morning sun at an old Aussie Rules Stadium in the Melbourne suburb of Footscray, Irish coach Eddie Sullivan announced two changes to the side that started against Australia.

John Kelly replaces the injured wing Denis Hickie, and fit-again Victor Costello takes over at No 8 from veteran Anthony Foley for the clash at the Telstra Dome.

Ireland have never made the semifinals, the only side from the old Five Nations gang not to have done so.

In his softly spoken way, O'Sullivan revealed a list of factors in his side's favour going in to what could be an historical night.

They include:

* A run of good performances against France, raising Irish confidence.

* The tough pool A has prepared the Irish side well.

* An ideal eight-day gap leading up to the quarterfinal.

* Ireland have already played under the Telstra Dome roof in Melbourne.

* Ireland aren't solely a wet-weather side and can play on hard surfaces.

* The Irish team like referee Jonathan Kaplan's consistency and good communication.

O'Sullivan said he believed France had timed their run well and that coach Bernard Laporte had got the right balance of structure and flair within a traditionally flamboyant side.

"Certainly, having beaten France on occasion helps our belief that we can do it again," he said.

"If I get a performance that mirrors last Saturday night [against Australia at the same ground], I'd be very happy about that.

"The fact that the roof will be closed means no changing of the game plan two hours or an hour before the game. "It's good to know you can set out your stall for the next couple of days. It makes a lot of difference actually, because you can factor out a lot of stuff that you have to factor in an average test game. There are no wind or rain elements.

"The noise levels are extremely high though and it is hard for players to communicate. Having played there is a slight advantage, although it won't affect the French too much. It's pretty noisy at a French rugby match all the time."

O'Sullivan can even find comfort in the change to more emphasis on the lineouts than scrums.

In their match against Argentina for instance, there were 50-odd lineouts and just eight scrums.

The French are good scrummagers and have a lineout to be respected, but Ireland were superb in this area against Australia.

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