See below for quotes from Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan from his team announcement press conference at the Killiney Castle Hotel.
EDDIE O'SULLIVAN:
- ON HIS TEAM SELECTION -
"Luke (Fitzgerald), Stephen (Ferris) and Jamie (Heaslip) have plied their trade at the highest level in tight positions in good squads.
"If you're going to change a team you need to stick to form and this is a form selection. It's a good opportunity to push the squad out further.
"In this situation we could have stepped back and played it safe by saying let's make sure we win this game, which is what I want to do.
"But we'd missing an opportunity to move the team around after beating South Africa and Australia.
Stephen Ferris has burst onto the scene this year and his form in the Heineken Cup has been very good. The Ulster back row is very difficult to get into but he's been a regular starter.
"Just like with Luke, Jamie and Stephen, Paddy Wallace can make a pitch for the World Cup."
- ON THE GUINNESS AUTUMN SERIES SO FAR -
We knew what we wanted to do coming into the Guinness Autumn Series, we hoped we would get a good start with wins in the first two games.
"That went probably better than planned, so it gave us a bit more room to switch players around. Still, there's nothing inexperienced about this side, it's still a form selection, still a team packed with experienced internationals.
"I think if you look through the team, take in the experience the majority of players have, you'll find that we're taking this one very seriously."
"I'd like to pour cold water on the impression that we're not showing respect to the Pacific Islanders.
"Look at the team - Girvan Dempsey has 68 caps, Brian O'Driscoll has 69, Shane Horgan has 50, Denis Hickie has 52, Peter Stringer has 71 and so on.
"There is a thread of hugely experienced players running through the side. It would be foolhardy to select inexperienced guys without having veterans in there to help them along.
"I think they're pretty much the classical Pacific Islanders. They're very physical and they like playing with the ball in hand, with the ball in front of them.
"If you look at the game against Scotland, they didn't get off to a very good start. Scotland did - they off to a flyer - and probably relaxed a bit in the second half. Suddenly, Scotland were nearly reeled in - these guys can create tries out of nothing.
"A soft shoulder here, half an offload there and suddenly there are a few of them through a gap and you're chasing them down from 60 metres."
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