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Beware of the Irish!

Dave Lawrenson
9/10/2008

KARL Fitzpatrick insists that England are not the only home nation with a chance of glory at the rugby league World Cup.

For the Salford City Reds ace says that he is part of the strongest Irish side that he has seen in his several years as an international player.

"We should ruffle a few feathers up," said Fitzpatrick. "I’ve been involved in the Ireland squad for five or six years and this is definitely the strongest squad that we’ve had in that time.

"We have added some really good players to the squad like Wigan winger Pat Richards, who is the top points scorer in Super League.

"And I genuinely believe that England are not the only home nation that can get through the group stage and beyond.

"Having said that, we have been given a very tough group. We have to play Tonga and Samoa and there are a lot of Kiwi internationals in those sides.

"We are the underdogs but the Irish are renowned for causing upsets as the underdogs."

Fitzpatrick will play in a half back slot for Ireland having played at full back all year with Salford.

And the positional change is something that the speedster will relish.

He said: "Playing at stand off or scrum half for Ireland is a breath of fresh air.

"I enjoy playing in those positions and it’s good for Salford too because they know that I can cover in the halves if we get any injuries there next season.

"But, to be honest, I would be happy to play in any position in the World Cup – even prop forward.

"It is a privilege to be part of a World Cup in Australia and I am so looking forward to it.

"The games will be the biggest international games that I’ve ever been involved in.

"I haven’t been able to play for Ireland for a fair while due to picking up injuries at the back end of the last couple of seasons.

"So I am just delighted to be back in the reckoning. I have never been to Australia before and I am determined to make the most of this once in a lifetime opportunity."

Fitzpatrick and his Ireland teammate Stuart Littler are riding on the crest of a wave at the moment having won the Northern Rail Cup and the National League One title with Salford.

And Fitzpatrick has no intention of letting the hot streak end without one hell of a fight down under.

Fitzpatrick said: "Stuart and I have not been used to losing games this season.

"As a result of Salford’s success, we are loving our rugby at the moment and we are taking a lot of confidence into the World Cup.

"But I have to say that I don’t think my game is suited to the National League because the play-the-balls are so much slower than in Super League.

"They will be a lot quicker in the World Cup though and I will be much happier with that."

Ireland will take on Tonge in their World Cup opener at the Parramatta Stadium on Monday, October 27. They then take on Samoa on Wednesday, November 5.