Andy Farrell says he expects a "fantastic" performance from Ireland when they open their Rugby World Cup campaign against Romania on Saturday.
The Ireland coach is showing plenty of respect to the Oaks for their Pool B opener in Bordeaux, naming close to a full-strength side, with Johnny Sexton returning for his first game in six months following injury and suspension.
The Six Nations champions are overwhelming favourites to get their campaign under way with a bonus-point win, with the inclusions of Joe McCarthy, Rob Herring and Keith Earls the only real selections outside what would be viewed as a first-choice XV.
Farrell has also loaded his bench with experience in the form of Iain Henderson, Josh van der Flier, Conor Murray and Robbie Henshaw, to compliment the more inexperienced replacements like Jeremy Loughman, Tom O'Toole and Jack Crowley.
"We've got lots of experience and a nice blend of youth within our squad, so when we get to this stage we've got a group of 33, a pretty good squad, so it’s always going to be a strong team," Farrell said, after naming his team on Thursday afternoon.
McCarthy [below] gets the nod to partner James Ryan in the second row to win his fourth cap, and the Ireland coach said the 22-year-old has earned his place on merit.
"He deserves it, the form that he's shown not just in the games he’s played, but his preparation in the last ten or 11 weeks. He’s really progressed his game, and he deserves an opportunity to start the first game of the World Cup.
"There's no mix and match now, we have a squad of 33 that we totally believe in, whatever side we put out will be a good side, and it'll be the one that represents the group.
"I think, no matter what side we pick at this stage, it’s going to be one that’s threatening, and a determined one at that.
"I think you’ll see that if you could give people game time that’s not had game time that would help, but at the same time our mindset at this stage is, 'full steam ahead’.
"Whatever side we put out is going to be strong, and we expect a fantastic performance to kick us off in the right manner."
For Sexton, it will be a first outing since suffering a groin injury at the end of the Six Nations, while his three-game suspension from the fallout of the Champions Cup final saw him miss out on the warm-up wins against Italy, England and Samoa.
"Delighted to be back," said the Ireland captain, who will retire after the tournament.
And the 38-year-old says he's confident he won't struggle with the pace of the game, having been sidelined for so long.
"Playing for Ireland is always special, and extra special when it comes to the World Cup, so it's great to be back in the team and I’m really looking forward to it.
"Getting back fit from the injury first of all was the first challenge, and then being able to reintegrate to the team and getting back up to speed. You’re a little bit behind at the start, you work hard to stay fit and improve your fitness so that’s what I’ve been trying to do over the last couple of months.
"How we trained will help me, we trained hard and trained very much as we’d expect, with game simulations, putting each other under pressure in training so hopefully it will pay off on Saturday."
This tournament will be a fourth and final World Cup for Sexton, as he and Ireland look to break new ground and get beyond the quarter-finals for the first time.
Despite his experience, the out-half admits to feeling that same mix of pre-tournament nerves and excitement.
"Like it is with every player, the excitement of getting into an amazing venue and stadium, I'm sure the Irish will travel like they always do, and it’s a very different atmosphere to what we normally get at rugby matches. It’s more like soccer and World Cup atmosphere, the ones I’ve been involved in.
"We’re looking forward to that, but also with that comes a bit of nerves. We’ve built this for the last four years, and it’s finally here. The nerves do come in, but it’s about embracing them.
"We haven’t looked past this game to be honest. We do know what’s ahead in terms of the group we’re in, it’s incredibly tough, so it’s all about getting out of our pool at the moment. If we do that, we’ll worry about the quarter-finals if we get there," he added.
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