Pictured above: Ronan O'Gara, under the shadow of the West Stand, practices his kicking at Lansdowne Road ahead of Sunday's final Test of the Guinness Autumn Series.

O'Gara steps aside to allow Paddy Wallace start at out-half against the Pacific Islanders. It will be the first time in twelve months that the Munster number 10 has not started a Test match for Ireland - David Humphreys started against Romania last November.

O'Gara's half-back partner Peter Stringer, who has been thrust back into the starting XV after sitting out the win over Australia, said: "Winning is a habit and we want to keep that habit. We've had two good wins under our belts now.

"For this squad it's about keeping that performance up to a level that we know we can play at and not dipping because we're playing certain opposition. We have to give it 100 percent against the Islanders. This is the last of the autumn games and everyone wants to leave a lasting impression. That's motivation enough for anyone."



The Irish squad top up their soccer skills at Friday's Captain's Run session at Lansdowne Road. Stringer added: "The whole squad is feeling confident at the moment. The provinces have done well in the Magners League and in Europe recently and that success has had an effect on the national set-up.

"The way things have gone with us winning games, the main pressure now is to deal with the favourites tag, which we are doing. Guys get that confidence from winning Heineken Cup matches and internationals. We know we can beat the best teams in the world and shouldn't find it so daunting playing the big games in the World Cup."



Ireland skipper Brian O'Driscoll has admitted it has been a struggle to plan for the Pacific Islanders game. The Leinster centre said: "Because they haven't played a huge number of games together, it's hard to know their combinations. They're a bit unpredictable. They don't tend to have any one defensive system.

"They are a little bit like South Africa in that they can have shooters coming out of the lines. You don't know were that's going to happen. You just have to play what you seen in front of you.

"Perhaps you can't plan for them as much as you can for other teams but I guess that's where you show your capabilities in trying to break down sides which are difficult to read."



Coach Eddie O'Sullivan is looking for his much-changed team to use their 'common sense' against the Islanders. Asked about how the Irish will go about tackling the tourists into submission, the Corkman said: "You have to tailor a game plan and the conditions might colour it as well. It's about good common sense rugby. The team we've picked is exciting but it's only exciting if they play well and win."



The right-footed Paddy Wallace works on his place-kicking ahead of the biggest day of his rugby career. The Ballymena clubman will make his first start for Ireland against the Pacific Islanders, and he will be happy as long as a win is secured.

The 27-year-old admitted: "The sole focus for the team is to win and keep up our recent run of victories. Although my game is improving, I'm not 100 percent happy with how I'm playing yet and after so long on the periphery, I just want to follow the game plan set out by the management."



Luke Fitzgerald's excellent defensive performance against Australia 'A' recently, which he crowned with a try, has helped play him into the senior ranks. His Leinster colleague Denis Hickie reckons it is a case of 'the more, the merrier' in a buoyant Irish squad at present.

The 52-times capped winger said: "The more guys who play well, the better it is for everyone because the squad will be stronger and with the World Cup on the horizon, you need 30 guys who can play no matter what the conditions.

"Expectation of Irish rugby is pretty high at the moment, maybe a little too high - but I don't think we exceeded our expectations (against South Africa and Australia). Everyone was satisfied with the two wins as opposed to being surprised."



It is stretching time at Lansdowne Road for Ireland's back rowers Simon Easterby and Jamie Heaslip. Llanelli skipper Easterby, who is back in the Irish side for the first time since this year's RBS 6 Nations, has been encouraged by the form of Heaslip and Stephen Ferris, the two debutants who will form the back row unit alongside him on Sunday.

The 31-year-old said: "Jamie and Stephen have looked very impressive in training. Jamie has played for Leinster for a number of years now and fully deserves his chance. Stephen has burst onto the scene and has proved a revelation for Ulster. On form, the two of them deserve to be in the team."

Having watched videos of the Islanders' recent games against Wales and Scotland, Easterby added: "We know what they're about - give them a chance and they'll take it. Individually they are quality players but maybe they haven't had the chance to gel as a team yet. We won't take anything for granted on Sunday."



Stephen Ferris' early development saw him come up through playing for Friends School Lisburn to the Portadown Under-16s, for whom he was a centre, to the Ulster Youths and Ireland Youths. A development contract soon turned into a full-time one with Ulster Rugby, with both Mark McCall and Allen Clarke being impressed with the 21-year-old's sheer physicality and his natural rugby ability.

McCall concedes that Ferris is "unique" and "all his scores (in performance tests) are ridiculous compared to other players in the same position."

**All photos by Dan Sheridan of Inpho Photography**

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