KEY POINTS:
DUBLIN - The high-flying Irish have nominated Wallabies skipper Stirling Mortlock and halfback Matt Giteau as dangermen who must be stopped if they are to achieve a slice of rugby history at Lansdowne Road on Sunday (Monday morning NZT).
Victory over Australia and another French defeat at the hands of New Zealand this weekend would elevate the Irish to second in the world rankings, their highest ever standing.
Having stylishly seen off South Africa 32-15 last Saturday, the Triple Crown winners are chasing back-to-back triumphs over southern hemisphere giants for the first time since 1967 and confidence is at an all-time high.
There is even talk of an historic World Cup win next year in France, but Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan and captain Brian O'Driscoll are fully aware that one flash of brilliance from Mortlock or Giteau could bring about an abrupt end to the hype.
Mortlock was one of the backs to shine in Australia's 25-18 win over Italy last week upon his comeback from a knee injury and O'Sullivan said his return had given the Wallabies a more formidable look in the centres.
"Stirling Mortlock is a big player for Australia," he said.
"I think when he's in the middle of the park, a lot of good things happen for them. He's a very good footballer, he's a very strong player and I've always admired him.
"At the last World Cup, it was the turning point for Australia when he actually went to the outside centre spot. I thought it was a big move for them back then and it did work very well for them. It got them to a World Cup final.
"So I think Mortlock is the key man."
O'Driscoll, who will partner Gordon D'Arcy in the centres for Ireland and oppose the new pairing of Mortlock and Lote Tuqiri in a potentially decisive midfield battle, considers the Australian captain's "sleight of hand" a major worry.
"There have been times when he has certainly been the best centre in the world and again it's a case of us having our hands full," O'Driscoll said.
O'Sullivan said Giteau, in his third test as halfback after making a spectacular switch from the centres against Wales two weeks ago, must also be contained for Ireland to conquer Australia for only the second time in 25 years and first time since an 18-9 success in Dublin in 2002.
"He's a fantastic footballer. I think he's a player who could play nine, 10 or in fact 12 if he has to without any problem," O'Sullivan said.
"He wouldn't be your classic 12 like a rhinosaurous takes the ball up, but he's a very, very good footballer. You saw against Wales how threatening he was.
"He's a sniper on the side, Wales fell asleep for a second and he was in for a try. So that's why he's a fantastic player. It was no surprise to me that he went into halfback and still proved a success there.
"He's slightly different than George Gregan. He's a bit more aggressive on the line than George, so he's a different job to mind him than if George was playing.
"He's a player we've got to watch because he can turn a game."
O'Sullivan has made four changes to the side that crushed the Springboks, bringing in Geordan Murphy at fullback for Girvan Dempsey, Denis Hickie onto the wing for the injured Andrew Trimble, New Zealand born Isaac Boss at halfback for Peter Stringer and prop Bryan Young for Marcus Horan.
"I'm happy with that team," he said. "It's a team that can go out and win the test match, I think."
- AAP
