EXPECTATION LEVELS AROUND Ireland’s chances of success in the 2015 Six Nations and World Cup have soared after a clean sweep of the November Tests, but those within Joe Schmidt’s group will keep focused on the details.
Victories over South Africa and Australia for Schmidt’s side, as well as a hard-working success against Georgia, have seen Ireland rise into the top three of the World Rugby rankings.
Michael Cheika pointed to Ireland as a “big threat” for the World Cup after watching his Wallabies come up short in Dublin on Saturday, and there is danger of the optimism on Irish soil spilling over.
“There is expectation on us but no more then we are putting on ourselves. We know the level of performance that is required now and we have to deliver on that every single time, otherwise there is a guy waiting to take your spot.
“We know we need to get our own stuff right. Most of the pressure is from external sources. We would dismiss that within ourselves because it is not much use for us to worry about that.
Devin Toner and Ross have been pillars for Ireland in the last 12 months. Source: James Crombie/INPHO
“It [the expectation] doesn’t help, but we know if we get our own game plan right and execute well, we give ourselves every chance of winning.”
Irish supporters have understandably grown in belief after this month’s success in Dublin, but Ross admits that there has been a similar boost of confidence within Schmidt’s squad.
The manner in which Ireland held on during the endgame against the Wallabies, a situation in which they had caved against New Zealand a year ago, was one of the major factors.
“We need to continue just doing that. There is a big Six Nations, plenty of other nations that will be looking to take the Six Nations title and we will be looking to defend it.