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Rugby World Cup 2019: Ireland play down Fukuoka pitch concerns for Samoa game

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By Michael Morrow
BBC Sport NI at Fukuoka
Ireland scrum coach Greg Feek states the side cannot be fixated by playing surface issues that are possible during their final Pool A fixture from Samoa.
The Fukuoka pitch has been relaid after the World Cup match at the venue between France and the USA, resulting in concerns it could cut on Saturday.
A BBC Sport NI clip in coaching on Friday showed center Chris Farrell able to spoil a ball under the pitch.
We just try to rear the gamers, explained the Ireland scrum coach.
Trust the pitch will do its job and attempt to alleviate any issues when were out there
Ireland need before Japan accept on Scotland on Sunday a bonus-point win to get guaranteed of a quarter-final place.
The decision was taken after heavy rain nearly two weeks ago contributed to a surface, and this has hosted two games at the tournament up to now.
While the appearance of the turf might not be ideal, as expected with a very current installation, we are convinced that the pitch will perform superbly, said a World Rugby statement.
But, Ireland coach Joe Schmidt appeared concerned by the condition of the playing surface in the captains of Ireland run training session Friday.
His disposition is unlikely to have been enhanced from center Farrells sight temporarily hiding a soccer ball – although the players appeared to find the funny side of this incident.
The Ireland boss spent minutes examining problematic bits of turf, revealing a few places to both scrum coach Feek and Irelands head of operations Ger Carmody.
When asked about Schmidts clear worries, Feek responded:You guys are quite clever people, and also you would have seen the pitch yourselves.
A powerful Irish side was called in the expectation without having to rely on Sundays lead to Yokohama between their two Pool A competitions to enter their favor that they can reserve their place.
Together with the pitch going to deteriorate as the game wears on, Ireland will look for a quick start which their World Cup future may hinge scoring at least four attempts.
We want to try and make certain the scrums stay up, additional Feek.
Not only for safety but also for the game itself.
Schmidt has called a seasoned side for the match, making 11 changes from the side that failed last 24, to sabotage against Russia.
Wing Keith Earls is among the four players where he will act alongside Jacob Stockdale along with Jordan Larmour.
[The pitch] does not seem great to be fair, Earls.
In fact out there its flat and rather firm, it doesnt feel too awful to operate on.
I guess its likely to be the same for both groups and weve just got to go out there and get on with the task .
The Euro 2020 qualification hopes of northern Ireland suffer a blow having an estimated 3-1 defeat by the Netherlands at Rotterdam.
Robbie Henshaw will play for the very first time in this years Rugby World Cup having been appointed at outside centre for Irelands final pool game against Samoa.
Former Down All-Ireland winning manager Pete McGrath says Eamonn Burns hadno plans, no rear doors and played a key role in the countys victory in the 1990s.

Read more here: http://www.fortoli.cn/?p=21897

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