Ireland v Australia Lansdowne Road, 2.30 There's a feeling about that, of the Southern Hemisphere big three, Australia somehow strike less fear into Irish sides, and that the Wallabies themselves possibly find it easier to motivate themselves against, say, England. Yet, in the ever-changing world of professional rugby, such theories don't stack up any more.

It's true Irish rugby history is pockmarked with more wins over the Wallabies than the All Blacks or Springboks, and there's been a few close squeaks since the last of them in 1979. Nevertheless, no opponents are currently enjoying a longer winning run over Ireland than Australia, and of the 25 successive defeats to Southern Hemisphere opposition since 1979, 11 of them have been inflicted by the Wallabies.

If ever there's a chance to scalp one of the big three, however, then a home international in the autumn is surely the best time. Ireland have rattled a few big cages in November internationals over the last few years - South Africa twice and last year New Zealand.

"We've got to keep rattling those cages and some day one of them will open," said coach Eddie O'Sullivan. "Hopefully this game will be like that. Let's just hope we get a big performance and really put it up to Australia. They are the world champions and they don't often come to town, so we want to make the best of the opportunity."

Therein lies the key perhaps, the degree to which Ireland have pinpointed giving a big performance as opposed to focusing on winning. That may sound odd, but there's something even more unnerving about Irish sides who get carried away with the notion of a big scalp who, in their excited state, lose track of what might get them there.

To win, most probably, Ireland will need to win more ball, for it's hard to imagine a typically obdurate and stickable Australian side lose with the majority of possession. Here though, there's little reason for believing the Australian tight five are going to do a number on their counterparts.

Admittedly, Ireland are without Keith Wood - "our inspirational leader," as O'Sullivan described him yesterday. Invariably he's been instrumental in Ireland's bigger wins and better performances over the last few years and any team in the world would benefit from his presence.

Even so, Shane Byrne's throwing has been on the money this season, he's playing the rugby of his life and he's hardly a Test rookie, unlike his opposite number Adam Freier. With a revamped tight five and a new second-row pairing, it's a big first start for the 22-year-old.

Granted Ireland's back row has an odd look to it with two number eights, and in the absence of Simon Easterby and Eric Miller, neither Victor Costello nor Anthony Foley are renowned lineout men. But Costello has been used more prominently at the tail by Leinster this season.

For all the signs from both camps that they were intent on playing a wide game, the resodded, 13-week-old pitch has taken a fair buffeting from the recent heavy downpours, and though drier weather is forecast today, it's also expected to be quite cold. Invariably, therefore, conditions will demand that both sides clip their wings to at least some degree, all the more so if lineout options are curtailed.

While there may be more scrums, Ireland have a more solid, mature look there, in keeping with John Hayes' international maturity. Australian packs tend to get in and out at scrum time as quick as possible anyhow. But it's the respective mauls that could have a bigger bearing, and for Eddie Jones, Australia's mauling and kicking game were the most satisfying feature of their performance in Buenos Aires.

Asked if there was anything in Argentina's performance last Saturday worth emulating, while keeping his cards to his chest, O'Sullivan admitted: "I think Argentina were patient, they didn't force the pace too much and if conditions stay like this that will be an issue, being patient on the ball and not trying to make magic happen every time you get your hands on it."

The aerial ping-pong which beckons will also demand patience, with each team possessing safe, percentage full backs, though for all his legendary running game, Wendell Sailor will assuredly be tested in the air.

Each have their game-breakers out wide, with Ireland looking every bit as potent, but this game may more likely be decided by the foot soldiers and the hard yard men, Toutai Kefu, Owen Finegan and Daniel Herbert, Costello, Foley and Kevin Maggs.

All in all, going through the sides pound for pound and man for man, there is nothing like the discrepancy that existed in the 1999 World Cup meeting, even less so (if at all) in terms of ability, and the Australians have a thinner looking bench this time.

However, the one area where the Wallabies have a more proven, winnable look is in the middle five. If Ireland stand off around the fringes, with George Gregan running laterally and the truly visionary Stephen Larkham taking the ball flat, with each popping the ball to close-in runners, no one's more adept at finding holes than these Wallabies.

In the heel of the hunt, even if the going gets tough in the endgame, as has been proven countless times, no one gets tougher than Australia. The Wallabies to come through, in all likelihood then, but there's enough straws for Irish hopes to cling on to.