Ireland fired up for battle

Churchill Cup/Preview Ireland A v NZ Maori: If the USA are considered a barometer of form going into this clash then the portents appear ominous from an Irish perspective. Michael Bradley's charges could only manage a 28-13 victory over the US Eagles side last weekend while today's opponent's, the New Zealand Maori, thrashed their American hosts 74-6 during the week.

The bare statistics hide a multitude, not least the fact that the Americans made six changes from their opening match but still retained a core of nine players, completing their second game in four days. Today it'll be the Maori who'll face up to a quick turnaround.

The Ireland A side shows four changes, three in the backline. Ulster's Bryn Cunningham comes in at fullback with Rob Kearney switching to the left wing in place of Andy Maxwell.

Kieran Lewis, a replacement the last day, wins the starting role at outside centre ahead of John Hearty. The latter did well the last day but Lewis is arguably the most accomplished back in the party.

Connacht scrumhalf Chris Keane is preferred to Tomás O'Leary, although the young Corkman could not be faulted on his display against the Americans. His service to Paddy Wallace was, by and large, quick and assured. The only alteration to the pack sees Ulster number eight Roger Wilson displace John Muldoon at blindside flanker.

Ireland A captain Shane Jennings admitted: "The Maori pose a massive threat to us. They have previously won this tournament and again have a quality set of players with them - but we won't take a backward step and are definitely looking forward to the game. We have a young team and everyone is fired up to make an impression."

The Maori have retained only six players from the USA game. Locks Paul Tito and Kristian Ormsby (he scored four of the 12 tries the last day) are back, Liam Messam moves from the openside flank to number eight, while scrumhalf Chris Smylie, centre Richard Kahui and fullback Shannon Paku complete the sextet.

Jono Gibbes will captain the team.

New Zealand Maori coach Donny Stevenson said the short turnaround of matches meant it was important to keep players fresh. "We have three days between games so it is important that we give everyone a run and rotate players. From what we know of Ireland, they are well organised in defence and their set-pieces are good so we are expecting a good battle."

Ireland had some exceptional performances the last day notably Simon Keogh, Jamie Heaslip and, place kicking aside, Wallace.

They'll need far more players to step up to the plate if they're going to contest the Churchill Cup final against Scotland A next weekend.

NEW ZEALAND MAORI: S Paku; A Tahana, R Kahui, N Brew, H Gear; C Bruce, C Smylie; J McDonnell, S Linklater, D Manu; K Ormsby, P Tito; J Gibbes (captain), T Latimer, L Messam. Replacements: L Mahoney, M Noble, T Waldrom, J Paringatai, C Tamou, M Berquist, C Jane.

IRELAND A: B Cunningham (Dungannon/Ulster); S Keogh (Harlequins), K Lewis (St Mary's College/Leinster), D Quinlan (Northampton Saints), R Kearney (UCD/Leinster); P Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster), C Keane (Buccaneers/Connacht); R Hogan (Galwegians/Connacht), J Fogarty (Buccaneers/Connacht), T Court (Ballymena/Ulster); T Hogan (Shannon/Munster), M McCullough (Ballymena/Ulster); R Wilson (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), S Jennings (Leicester Tigers, capt), J Heaslip (Clontarf/Leinster). Replacements: B Blaney (Terenure College/Leinster), D Fitzpatrick (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster), D Browne (Northampton Saints), N McMillan (Ballymena/Ulster), T O'Leary (Dolphin/Munster), E Hickey (UCD/Leinster), tbc.

Referee: Andrew Small (England).