Ireland winger Keith Earls believes that the current crop of Ireland rugby players under Andy Farrell will be quietly 'confident' about reaching the latter stages of the Rugby World Cup in France.
Ireland are expected to get out of their pool of Romania, which they beat, Tonga, Scotland, and South Africa in France. It's what comes next, which is the biggest question for Ireland in France.
Since 1987, Ireland has never made it past the quarter-finals of the tournament. Defeats in 2011, 2015, and 2019 live long in the memory of players and fans alike.
If Ireland does get past the pool stage, then they will face either New Zealand or France in the next round.
A tall order for Ireland, but due to previous wins over the two potential teams and others, Earls, even though he isn't looking past the Tonga game this Saturday, also admits that Ireland's players have more than enough ability to go far, that's if they reach the high standards they have set themselves already.
"We have obviously achieved a lot, and we know when we are on it and we are switched on and we play our game-plan, we know we are well capable of competing and doing special things," said the 35-year-old Munster winger.
"But again, I know it's a cliché, you always hear it from us, we won’t be looking past Saturday, but obviously we have touched on it.
"It’s something that we are confident in our ability. We will be looking to go deep if we reach our standards.
🏉 Keith Earls says Ireland are capable of "special things" as the World Cup ramps up another notch this weekend.#RWC23https://t.co/ktZypKGTXp
— RTÉ (@rte) September 13, 2023
"[Camp in this World Cup is] definitely a bit more relaxed, I think, in the environment. We know how to deal with pressure a lot better now as a group. We know how big these tournaments are; we've had a good welcome in Tours, it's been great."
Earls may come up against his team-mate, Tongan centre Malakai Fekitoa, this weekend in Nantes. The Munster legend knows that Ireland will have to be switched on if they are to come away with a second win of the tournament on Saturday night.
“Yeah, you know it’s like all the island teams, it’s going to be a really physical contest; we’re going to have to be really switched on in defence. Some really incredibly good athletes," added the Ireland centurion.
“I’ve obviously played with Mala for a season in Munster. I know what he can do; I’ve obviously played against Charles Piutau during his time at Ulster. We know we have to be on it or else we’ll get punished.”
Ireland's game against Tonga will kick off at 8:00 pm (9:00 pm local time) Saturday night. The game can be watched live on ITV (UK) and RTÉ (ROI).
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