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Andy Farrell believes the rest of the world expects Ireland to lose to South Africa and insists the mouthwatering Paris showdown is not a \u201cdo-or-die\u201d fixture.<\/p>\n
Test rugby\u2019s top-ranked nation face a stern examination of their World Cup credentials as they prepare to put their 15-match winning run on the line against the formidable reigning champions in Pool B\u2019s headline clash.<\/p>\n
The physical Springboks have made a statement of intent by naming an imposing seven-one split of forwards and backs on the bench.<\/p>\n
Ireland head coach Farrell talked down the significance of that tactical decision and urged his players to focus on their own performance in their bid to defy the bookmakers and their doubters at Stade de France.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt doesn\u2019t really bother me at all,\u201d the Englishman said of South Africa\u2019s so-called \u2018Bomb Squad\u2019. \u201cIt\u2019s just about us.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have to be good, we have to play really well to beat the world champions.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd rightly so because they\u2019re in good form and, barring us and our team, our management and the Irish people all over the world, I think everyone else thinks that they\u2019re the favourites and they\u2019re going to win this game.<\/p>\n
\u201cI can see why because of the form that they\u2019ve showed in the last couple of games but we don\u2019t think like that. We\u2019re ready for a tough battle and it will take it\u2019s own course, I\u2019m sure.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not a must-win. It\u2019s not a do-or-die type of game but it\u2019s pretty important to both teams, let\u2019s put it that way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ireland have the chance to qualify for the quarter-finals with a game to spare following crushing bonus-point victories over Romania and Tonga.<\/p>\n
Farrell\u2019s men have won 27 of their last 29 Test matches, including beating the Springboks 19-16 in Dublin last autumn.<\/p>\n
Yet one of the two defeats during the remarkable run of form came in Paris \u2013 a 30-24 loss to France in last year\u2019s Six Nations.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur journey\u2019s had all sorts and it prepares you for games like this,\u201d continued Farrell. \u201cI suppose we\u2019ll learn a bit more after this one as well.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere will be over 30,000 Irish supporters there in a stadium we know well and we want to get back there and get back to winning ways there.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a challenge that we\u2019re ready for, looking forward to, and it\u2019s coming soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
Scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park replaces Conor Murray in the only change to Ireland\u2019s starting XV, while first-choice hooker Dan Sheehan is in line for his World Cup debut after being named on the bench following a foot injury.<\/p>\n
Captain Johnny Sexton wants to reward the travelling fans with another statement win after thousands of green jerseys flooded Bordeaux and Nantes on the previous two weekends.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think I\u2019ve played a game here where we\u2019ll have the majority of the support,\u201d said the 38-year-old, who will partner the returning Gibson-Park.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe support we get for World Cups in particular, it\u2019s incredible.<\/p>\n
\u201cLast week in the stadium there was just green everywhere, the week before the same, and I\u2019m sure it will be the same again.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo it\u2019s hats off to the people that put their hand in their pocket and come over.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt means a lot to us and we hope we give them something to cheer about.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going to have to be in top form to get a result.\u201d<\/p>\n