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Rugby

'Teams are trying to bully us and I don't want to see it' | Alan Quinlan

Physicality has been a huge part of Ireland's game in recent years but according to Alan Quinlan,...



Rugby

'Teams are trying to bully us and I don't want to see it' | Alan Quinlan

Physicality has been a huge part of Ireland's game in recent years but according to Alan Quinlan, it's something we've strayed away from more recently. 

Speaking on Friday's OTB AM, the former Ireland forward said he wants to see Ireland front up against Wales on Saturday.

"Teams are trying to bully us and I don't want to see any more of that.

"I want us to be more confrontational and not taking sh*t that we're taking off teams," Quinlan stated.

He thinks that the match in Dublin this Saturday has a lot riding on it going into the World Cup.

"It really ramps up another level on Saturday and the importance of getting a win, maybe getting a good feeling out of the game, you can't underestimate that.

"If I was in the squad now you have to try and build a bit of confidence around the team.

Pool stages 

"Then if we are beaten by a better side fair enough, but I think the team is very talented and I think they need to be aggressive," the former Munster man said

When it comes to our World Cup group, Quinlan thinks it's a lot tougher than people are making it out to be.

"No matter what happens in the first game between Ireland and Scotland, Japan is going to be a tricky game for both sides.

"Samoa can be an unknown entity as well and on their day they can be a powerful outfit," he commented.

Because our biggest game of the group is at the start against Scotland, he thinks it could work in our advantage in the end.

"I think if it works out and they play really well it would be a perfect scenario.

"The other way to look at the group is that maybe they can build a bit of momentum and a bit of confidence.

"Then maybe they would be fresh and in good shape physically and if you have bangs, knocks and injuries, they have time to recover," the former Ireland international said.

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Alan Quinlan Ireland Rugby Japan Rugby World Cup Scotland