Ireland braced for 'a different type of challenge' this week

Scrum coach Colm Tucker has warned Ireland they are in for a tough evening as they pitch themselves into battle with Portugal on Saturday.

Paul O’Connell, who has been placed in interim charge while Andy Farrell is on British and Irish Lions duty, will send his side into battle with the Portuguese at the Estadio Nacional do Jamor fresh from their 34-5 victory over Georgia in Tbilisi last weekend.

However, Tucker knows they will have to be at their best as they attempt to cope with both Os Lobos and the heat.

He told Irish Rugby’s official website: “They’re a very good rugby team. It’s a game that needs to be taken very, very seriously.

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“We’re here to win two games, they’re going to provide a different type of challenge to Georgia but a significant one. And you have the heat on top of that.

“They’re coached by Simon Mannix, who is a very good operator. It’s going to be a very, very tough game and we’re preparing like it’s going to be that way.

“The boys are very focused, obviously carrying good positivity from the result and performance at the weekend. We reviewed it very well, very hard. There’s plenty for us to be better at.

“A change of climate now – the heat has increased significantly – but the boys’ attitude has been brilliant. It’s been a good couple of days so far.”

Ireland will be without injured winger Jacob Stockdale, but flanker Cian Prendergast has recovered from illness to make himself available.