Stringer calls for clean sweep

Peter Stringer has demanded Ireland prove their underdog mentality has been consigned to history by sealing a clean sweep of victories from their autumn series.

Ireland complete their November schedule with tomorrow's clash against the Pacific Islands in what should prove to be the easiest of the three Tests.

Expectation has been heightened by emphatic wins over South Africa and Australia, results which have lifted them to third in the world rankings.

Significantly, they entered new territory by being rated clear favourites for both Tests and responded in breathtaking fashion to put them on the brink of an autumn hat-trick.

With the World Cup less than a year away Irish rugby is in rude health and Munster scrum-half Stringer is impressed by the way they are living up to their reputation.

"We're feeling confident. The provinces have done well in the Celtic League and Europe recently and that success has had an effect on the national set-up," he said,

"Bringing winning teams together has helped with the national side. Now we're ranked third in the world - our joint highest position - and that creates its own pressure.

"The Irish have been underdogs and have handled that tag a lot better than when we were favourites.

"But with the way things have gone with us winning games, the main pressure now is to deal with the favourites tag, which we are doing.

"Guys get that confidence from winning Heineken Cup matches and internationals. We know we can beat the best teams in the world and shouldn't find it so daunting playing the big games in the World Cup.

"Winning is a habit and we want to keep that habit. We've had two good wins under our belts now.

"For this squad it's about keeping that performance up to a level that we know we can play at and not dipping because we're playing certain opposition.

"We have to give it 100 per cent against the Islands. This is the last of the autumn games and everyone wants to leave a lasting impression. That's motivation enough for anyone."  PA