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Ireland\u2019s coaching staff and players are braced for a \u201cbig step up\u201d at the Rugby World Cup as they prepare to face the \u201cserious threats\u201d of Tonga in Nantes.<\/p>\n
Andy Farrell\u2019s men launched their campaign by running in 12 tries during a thumping 82-8 demolition of Pool B minnows Romania.<\/p>\n
Ireland have pivotal Paris appointments against South Africa and Scotland on the horizon but feel they cannot afford to underestimate the nation sitting 15th in the Test rankings.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve got some of the best open field runners in world rugby,\u201d defence coach Simon Easterby said of Tonga.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019ve got guys in the forward pack that can mix it, they can offload. And they\u2019ve got attacking threats throughout their back line.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt\u2019s a real challenge for us defensively, it\u2019s one that we\u2019re probably ready for after the Romania game. We didn\u2019t have to get through that much work without the ball.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s going to be a big step up from the challenge Romania threw at us.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey (Tonga) attack well but they certainly want to come and hit and put us off our rhythm.\u201d<\/p>\n
Head coach Farrell spoke of focusing on immediate challenges and respecting Tonga, who are preparing for their opening match of the tournament, when announcing a strong team on Thursday afternoon.<\/p>\n
Aside from sidelined hooker Dan Sheehan and first-choice scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park, the Englishman has gone with arguably his preferred starting XV, which features four personnel changes from last weekend.<\/p>\n
Full-back Hugo Keenan feels it is easy to concentrate game by game, despite the looming threat of the Springboks.<\/p>\n
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\u201cYeah, I think it has (been),\u201d he said. \u201cI know throughout the pool, there is tough games coming up but Tonga are a serious side, serious threats and individuals across the team.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re only looking at them, we\u2019re only focusing on this week.\u201d<\/p>\n
Following the scorching conditions of their Bordeaux curtain-raiser, where temperatures reached 36 degrees Celsius, Ireland trained in 30-degree heat on Friday afternoon at Stade de la Beaujoire.<\/p>\n
Prop Tadhg Furlong joked about needing to layer up as he prepares for a stern test against Tonga\u2019s bulky front-row forwards.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was thinking of putting a jumper on today compared to what we\u2019ve been used to,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlthough it is hot, it doesn\u2019t feel as hot (as previously). (It\u2019s been) like an oven, or someone blowing a hairdryer in your face, for the last few weeks.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Referring to the weekend challenge, he said: \u201cOf course we respect them. Sometimes in scrummaging there\u2019s no replacement for displacement.<\/p>\n
\u201cWeight makes it heavy, it makes it hard, that\u2019s the nature of it and it\u2019s a big challenge from a big pack. We have to be technically good.\u201d<\/p>\n