Eire coach Simon Easterby says he expects Australia to try to “impose themselves” in Saturday’s Nations Championship opener in Sydney (11:00 BST).
Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies host Eire within the first of three summer time matches within the new competitors, earlier than Andy Farrell’s facet tackle Japan and New Zealand.
Farrell led the British and Irish Lions’ profitable tour of Australia final 12 months and Eire ran out 46-19 winners when the perimeters met in Dublin in November.
Easterby, who stated all 36 gamers had been in coaching in Sydney, stated it was “thrilling” to face Australia, who will host the Rugby World Cup subsequent 12 months.
“We’re anticipating a facet who’ve in all probability obtained an opportunity to go and lay down a little bit of a marker main right into a World Cup 12 months, enjoying at residence for the primary time shortly,” Easterby stated.
“They’re a bodily staff who will look to try to impose themselves on the opposition.
“It is one thing that we’re effectively conscious of, their threats and assault and their means to assault in a means that may create alternatives.”
Easterby believes the battle for choice towards Australia might be hard-fought with the 36 gamers who’ve travelled to the Southern Hemisphere, and he says there’s a “nice combine” between youth and expertise within the squad.
“It may be an fascinating few weeks by way of choice as a result of a number of the extra skilled gamers are coaching effectively but in addition a number of the youthful guys have made their mark as effectively.
“I feel it is a testomony to the group that we have had nobody drop out of coaching. We’ve not taken care of them, they’ve labored arduous and so they’ve hit the bottom working.”
