Kidney talks down O'Sullivan rivalry

Ireland coach Declan Kidney has played down talk of personal rivalry between himself and his predecessor, new USA coach Eddie O'Sullivan, ahead of their sides' meeting in Santa Clara, California.

Kidney is instead focused on continuing the process of building for the 2011 Rugby World Cup after introducing eight debutants during last week's 25-6 win over Canada.

'This is a Test match between Ireland and the United States,' replied Kidney, when asked about the coaching head-to-head.

'Like all Eagles sides we have to match them physically, because they're always fit. It's like all Test matches - there's a lot to play for, world ranking points.

'We could lose a lot and likewise, America could rise up the rankings from where they are.'

Kidney has kept the same matchday squad as last week for tomorrow's clash. The one change to the starting line-up sees Leinster-bound prop Mike Ross come in for his first start on the tighthead side, with Munster's man-mountain Tony Buckley switching to loosehead and Tom Court dropping to the bench.

The switch means Ireland will take to the pitch at Buck Shaw Stadium boasting their heaviest ever front row, with tour captain Rory Best, Ross and Buckley tipping the scales at a combined 57 stone.

Ian Whitten, Darren Cave, Ian Dowling, Ian Keatley, John Muldoon and Niall Ronan, who all gained their first caps against Canada, have retained their starting places, while Sean Cronin, Niall O'Connor and Denis Hurley are three more potential new caps on the bench.

Kidney said: 'We thought that it would be better to give an opportunity for the same players and combinations to find their feet a bit more with some more sessions to work off.

'This tour and also the Churchill Cup is all about building a base of experience with the national coaches and it is particularly tough on the players not selected in the starting team as they have been training just as hard as the players picked and were pushing for inclusion this week.

'The majority of those who will not start on Sunday or are not in the matchday 22 will all have further opportunities in the Churchill Cup.'

Without a number of their more well-known faces, including last year's captain Todd Clever and Biarritz flyer Taku Ngwenya, O'Sullivan has dotted eight new caps around his first Test squad.

Ireland will look to exploit new front rowers Chris Biller and Will Johnson, who have experienced Leeds Carnegie clubman Mike MacDonald alongside them.

Peter Dahl and Nic Johnson will make their Test bows in the back row, while the uncapped Kevin Swiryn and Roland Suniula join team captain Mike Petri and Irish-based centre Junior Sifa in the backs division.

O'Sullivan, who was appointed to his new position in March, said: 'It is an honour to face Ireland in my first Test as Eagles head coach.

'It will be a little strange to face off against a team that I know so well, but at the same time for me that will make the occasion even more special.

'Despite the unavailability of a lot of our players, I believe we have still assembled a very competitive squad, with a good balance of youth and experience.'

With Wales to come next week and then the Churchill Cup, O'Sullivan needs to knit together a team before two crucial Rugby World Cup qualifier matches against Canada in July.

'Ireland are coming off a Test against Canada, which gives them an advantage, but our players have to start somewhere and I'm confident they'll give it their all in this first Test of the season,' he added.

Scrum-half Mike Petri, who was thrilled to get the nod to captain his country, summed up the mood of the squad.

'We're playing Ireland, we're playing for a new coach and a new coaching staff, and we've got six new caps in the team, so I think those first 15 or 20 minutes are going to be pretty exciting,' he said.

The winners of the game will collect the Setanta Challenge Cup, which was retained by Munster last August after a 46-22 win over the USA in Connecticut.