Ireland's scrum coach John Fogarty said that they are ready for the Springboks' 7/1 split of forwards and backs on the bench on Saturday. Ireland and the Springboks will clash at 21:00 in their Pool B decider.
“As a group of forwards, we’re incredibly fit and powerful, we’ve prepared for the weekend. It’s going to be a battle, one we feel the players will be ready for.”
John Fogarty said that there is definitely an edge with a fully fit squad competing for places in the squad for Saturday.
“There’s definitely an edge, it’s an incredibly exciting week to be involved in. Everybody wants to be in the starting XV. To be playing the world champions in Paris ... there’s a tendency sometimes to want to get to the end of the week quickly, but today was about understanding the plan, how we’re going to impose our game on South Africa. Games faces are on.”
On selection discussions among coaching staff Fogarty said “We’re clear in our heads as a group. We’ve no problem having difficult conversations. We’re so lucky we’ve got such a good group of players – that’s something that Andy [Farrell, head coach] has developed. When he first came in, he was adamant we needed to develop a big squad, be competitive across the pitch.
“It’s not easy to pick a side, we’ve got options. But that sharpens us as a coaching group and the players are going to be ready.”
