Scrum and lineout are crucial says O'Connell

FRANK QUINN reports from today's Ireland press conference in the Aviva Stadium:

THERE are no changes to the team to play Italy from the one which was announced for the French game. That was the summary of the team announcement at Carton House in County Kildare.

It is three weeks since the defeat by Wales at the Aviva, so it has been parked and it is one game at a time for the Irish team. Now the concentration is on Italy, the videos have been watched and noted, the “new running” game by Italy, their switching across the pitch, less kicking from previous encounters. The “P” word, - physicality (of Italy) is repeated over and over at the press conference hosted by Declan Kidney and Paul O’Connell. “Italy under new management, are more confident in using the ball, their skills are better, playing side to side football and they will ask more of our defence”.

Even though the Wales games have been parked, they appear to be still fresh in Paul O’Connell’s thoughts - as putting the disappointment of them behind was mentioned a few times.

Declan Kidney said that the disruption of the postponed game has resulted in the adjustment of the training schedule, some of the players have played and others are accommodating the change.

As international players they have to adjust to the lifestyle of living in hotels for long periods.

Paul O’Connell voiced the opinion that the good start against England before the RWC paid off and similarly against Australia: “We are an excellent side and we have not always performed for the full 80 minutes as one, it is annoying.”

With regard to four games in a row now, Declan drew attention to the RWC schedule of four games in the pool stages and Leinster’s four in a row at the end of last season in the Rabo and the Heineken Cup competition play-offs. Paul has no fear of it, and again stressed the importance of taking it a game at a time and the fact that “we are very fresh now, we are good pros and the spirit in the camp is high amongst the lads”. We have had good training and we are in good shape to take the positives from the postponement”.

Paul said: “We looked last night at what we did in the last game, and we need to work hard, have patience and it will pay off. The scrum and the lineout are vital in rugby; if you can get an edge in the scrum you can get three points.”

Kidney said that Peter O’Mahony was more relaxed with the squad now after being with them for five weeks and he is trying to get a cap under his belt as soon as possible after being an unused replacement in the Wales game.