HOCKEY: Mary Hannigan reports from Perth where Ireland are readying themselves for their first game, against England.

It was probably an extraordinary sight, not to mention sound - a coach hurtling down the freeway between Bunbury and Perth, windows wide open, 18 young women on board singing along, loudly, to a tape of No Regrets.

England's players brought a psychologist with them to Australia. Ireland, who they play tomorrow morning in their opening pool game of the World Cup, brought Edith Piaf.

"That's the approach for the next two weeks," says Jenny Burke, "give it everything, have no regrets at the end of each game, no feeling that we could have done better. Although, to be honest, Edith sings it a little better than the Irish hockey team."

After the stresses and strains endured by the players while they waited for the Court of Arbitration for Sport to deliver its verdict on the Ireland v Lithuania saga, one that dated back to September 2001's World Cup Qualifier, it's little wonder that Burke and Co are so intent on making the most of their experience in Perth.

Burke will win her 116th cap against England, making her Ireland's third most experienced current player, behind Laura Lee (118) and Rachael Kohler (145).

Kohler isn't quite sure where the time has gone, but it's nine years since she made her senior international debut as a teenager against England.

In the early hours of tomorrow morning, when she leads Ireland into the World Cup, it will, she says, be "the proudest moment of my life".

On her debut, Kohler experienced the first of many defeats by England through her career, the margin that day 5-0, and knows that the expectation is that Ireland will begin their campaign with yet another defeat to their old rivals.

Mind you, she also acknowledges that some don't give Ireland much hope of taking any points from their seven pool games, with Australia, Holland, England, Spain, South Africa, the US and Japan all ranked above them.

"But that's the way it usually is for us, nobody expects too much, certainly not at this level," says Kohler. "We know we're up against it, we're in with the elite of world hockey and every team we play will expect to beat us.

"The only pressure on us is the pressure we put on ourselves, but we know what we can do. We've just quietly gone about our business preparing for this tournament and have had some good results along the way - beating Spain and the US, drawing with Germany and New Zealand - so confidence is high."

Goalkeeper Tara Browne also insists that Ireland "aren't just here to make up the numbers".

"I was looking at a local paper in Bunbury and they had a preview of the World Cup, with a form guide from recent major tournaments (Olympics, World Cups, Champions Trophy) for each country - all the way down, beside Ireland, was 'did not compete, did not compete, did not compete'. In other words, 'did not qualify'.

"Now we've finally made it to this one we're determined to do ourselves proud, we're not here to see the dolphin and to get a sun tan, trust me."

Burke agrees the preparation has been perfect. "We've had a few real confidence-boosting results, teams that might have hammered us before suddenly didn't seem so unbeatable."

England, coached by Australian Tricia Heberle, come into the 16-team tournament having set a target of a top-six finish, one they will have to achieve to retain the same level of lottery funding.

However, Australia, who Ireland play on Wednesday, have loftier ambitions, with home advantage making them favourites to win their third consecutive World Cup title.

Just four players survive from their 1998 winning team and six from their victorious Olympic Games' panel in what is largely a young squad.

Holland, the reigning European champions, will also hope to be amongst the medals on December 8th, while South Africa's recent 2-1 series win over the Dutch has boosted their belief that they can make it to the semi-finals.

Spain have struggled since winning the Olympic Games 10 years ago, but, like the US, are capable of upsetting any of their more illustrious pool opponents.

The formbook says Japan will battle it out with Ireland to avoid last place in the pool.

If Ireland thought they had it tough in Pool B, the only team ranked below them, Scotland, face a daunting task in Pool A where they've been drawn with China, surprise Champions Trophy winners in September, Argentina, who lost that final on strokes, as well as the might of Korea, New Zealand, Germany and Russia.

The ever-inconsistent Ukraine, brilliant one day, mediocre the next, complete the pool line-up.

Of Ireland's first four games - against England, the US, Australia and Holland - the most realistic chance of picking up points will come on Monday against the Americans, who lost to Ireland in Virginia recently, before beating them in extra-time of the final in the same tournament.

After that, if they can rise to the occasion, Ireland are capable of taking points from Spain, who they beat in Madrid last month, and Japan. South Africa, ranked 10 in the world, could prove more formidable.

Coach Riet Kuper has set her team the goal of a top-12 finish, a modest-sounding ambition, perhaps, but not when one considers the company Ireland will be keeping in this tournament.

"Eighth to 12th would be brilliant," says Burke."Whatever happens, the important thing is that we give it everything and make every team work damn hard for what they take off us. As Edith said: 'No Regrets'."

IRELAND (probable line-up): T Browne, L Caulfield, A Boyles, D Sixsmith, K Maybin, L Lee, J Orbinson, R Kohler (capt), C McMahon, J Burke, L McVicker. Subs - five from: A Platt, P Magill, K Humphreys, C Murray, L O'Neill, C O'Brien, E Cregan.

Pool A: China, Korea, Russia, Germany, New Zealand, Ukraine, Scotland

Pool B: Australia, Holland, England, Spain, South Africa, Ireland, USA, Japan

IRELAND'S MATCHES (Irish times in brackets)

Sun, Nov 24th: Ireland v England 9.35 am (1.35 am)

Mon, Nov 25th: Ireland v US 6.05 pm (10.05am)

Wed, Nov 27th: Ireland v Australia 6.05 pm (10.05 am)

Fri, Nov 29th: Ireland v Holland 2.05 pm (6.05 am)

Sat, Nov 30th: Ireland v Spain 4.35 pm (8.35 am)

Mon, Dec 2nd: Ireland v Japan 4.05 pm (8.05 am)

Wed, Dec 4th: Ireland v S Africa 2.05 pm (6.05 am)

Fri/Sat, Dec 6/7thCrossovers

Sun, Dec 8thFinal