Forwards coach Paul O’Connell is confident Ireland can handle the pressure of their final World Cup pool match with Scotland because they are used to high stakes games.
This Irish team, though, have looked a far happier bunch under Andy Farrell than the 2007 vintage, and take in to the Scottish match on Saturday a record 16-Test winning run. “I think probably in fairness it would have come in under Joe and that ability to focus just on what’s right in front of you and not what’s too far ahead of you,” said O’Connell, who captained Ireland at the 2015 World Cup under the New Zealander.
Aki has outshone most of his fellow backs, both in defence and offence, but the 33-year-old centre expects a vibrant Scotland backline to give them more problems than their previous opponents.