Connacht and Ireland flanker John Muldoon is hoping the extra week of preparation ahead of Sunday’s game against the USA Eagles will improve the performance of Declan Kidney’s side after a scrappy showing against Canada.
Muldoon won his first cap for Ireland in the 25-6 win over Canada last weekend. It was a “proud day” for the blindside flanker but he admits there was plenty to work on this week, ahead of a meeting with Eddie O’Sullivan’s team in Santa Clara, California.
“Looking at the USA this weekend they’re another big strong physical team. I think rugby in the USA is really starting to grow with a lot more numbers playing and they’re getting better and better as every year goes by,” said Muldoon.
“Of course with Eddie O’Sullivan there they will be well prepared and he will know a lot of the Irish players so I am sure his team will be well briefed on us.”
The heat during the afternoon kick-off (1pm local time) will be a “big factor”, according to Muldoon, but most important is the need for the team to gel quicker than it did last week.
“I think work rate will be really important just as it was last week and in the second half when we upped it a bit as the combinations got used to each other, things began to flow a bit better for us.
“With another week’s training people know each other a little bit better and hopefully that will help us through. Come Saturday it’s a test match arena so we are all looking forward to it and obviously everybody will be giving 100 per cent to try and hold onto that jersey.”
Lock Devin Toner is in the squad as back-up for Mick O’Driscoll, and hopes to play some part, though he is just happy to be around ahead of the Churchill Cup next month.
“Yeah, I’m absolutely delighted. I got the call on Tuesday just after celebrating the Heineken cup win with Leinster, so after a brilliant weekend, I really wasn’t expecting it at all and it was a real bonus to get called up.
“I’m obviously over here as cover and if I get involved at all in the game it would be great, but I’m here to do as much as I can to support the team. Its good to be involved in the set up and it is good preparation for me ahead of the Churchill Cup with the Ireland A team.”
“It’s not totally foreign to me as I was involved in some of the squad training sessions during the six nations and know all the coaches, so it’s a familiar enough set up and hopefully I can learn from my time here. After this week I am also looking forward to the Churchill Cup and working with the coaches again.
“I was involved in one two years ago, but I never got capped so I’m really looking forward to maybe getting capped this time around and getting some games under my belt and playing against some international class teams.”
