Ireland get in mood for Springbok clash

IRELAND dealt with the potential banana skin of Tonga in consummate style at Nantes, dismissing the dangerous islanders to go into next week's much anticipated clash with South Africa confiwith their dence high and game in excellent shape

- BRENDAN GALLAGHER

Ahead of the game, Ireland took the view that after a leisurely gallop against Romania last week every game from this point onwards should be treated as a knock out game and therefore did Tonga the honour of going with a fully booted and suited Gun XV.

All of which seemed to take Tonga by surprise, the islanders have managed only two warm up matches against a less than stellar Canada side back home and their newly cobbled team appeared ill prepared for the intensity of Ireland in full flow

Ireland struck first with an early Johnny Sexton penalty although there is no question that the Ireland skipper made contact after the 60 second countdown clock had ticked down to 0. It’s a good regulation, so why not use it properly?