Fiji will try to lure Ireland into a trap but Andy Farrell's side must stick to their own game, says Shane Byrne.
The visitors to Aviva Stadium for this afternoon's Autumn Nations Series clash have been buoyed by recent results, including a win over Wales, but have never beaten Ireland in five attempts, the closest game was in 2017 when they lost 23-20.
Farrell has made seven changes to the team that beat Argentina last weekend, including handing debuts to forwards Cormac Izuchukwu and Gus McCarthy and a first start to 21-year-old out-half Sam Prendergast.
"Fiji have had a good tour so far," former Ireland hooker Byrne told RTÉ 2fm's Game On.
"Fiji always bring what Fiji bring to the table. If you allow them in a game, into space to do what they want to do, they are one of the most potent attacking teams in any level of rugby because there is no direct structure to what they do.
"They very much play off the cuff so if you allow the game to go that way, they will absolutely thrive.
"They have come here fully loaded. They would have seen Ireland and [said] 'right, this is a team we are going go for and target and see where we end up'.
🎥 Josua Tuisova comes up with the winner for @fijirugby! What a player!! 🇫🇯🫶#Fiji #FijiRugby #JosuaTuisova #Viti pic.twitter.com/lUL1Xd0qsu
— Autumn Nations Series (@autumnnations) November 11, 2024
"It's very much going to be down to Sam and the new caps, just to settle in very early and stick to the Irish game plan, stick to your defensive game plan, don't get mixed up in the way Fiji play.
"Having played against them a few times, it's very hard, they do suck you into that. We saw that against Wales. Wales just couldn't stick to their own structures and Fiji ran riot.
"That's something that Ireland can't allow to happen."
Asked for a prediction, Byrne said: "I don't think [Ireland] are happy with the way they played [against New Zealand and Argentina], I think there's a big performance in this squad.
"I don't think the doomsayers are quite right just yet. I still think Irish rugby is in rude health.
"Plus nine to Ireland and I'll be happy."
Listen to the RTÉ Rugby podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Follow a live blog on Ireland v Fiji on Saturday from 3.10pm on rte.ie/sport and the RTÉ News app. Listen to live commentary on Saturday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1.
