LET'S HIT NEW HEIGHTS

Ireland out to make a giant statement with sky the limit

- BY DEREK FOLEY

IRELAND will field their tallest ever rugby team against Japan at lunchtime.

Backs Jamie Osborne at 6ft 4ins, Jacob Stockdale and Robbie Henshaw at 6ft 3ins, Tom Farrell at 6ft 2ins, Tommy OBrien at 6ft are tall timber while Ryan Baird and Nick Timoney add even more back-row height.

Expect to see halfbacks Jack Crowley and Craig Casey launch it skywards as Ireland look to play to that strength.

Japan coach Eddie Jones was in complementary as opposed to combative mood all week but admitted his squad mostly play in Japan's Top League which “rarely” featured “contestable” balls.

Ireland are gearing up to ugly this one out and there will be some severe bullying at Aviva Stadium - and, consequently, a comfortable win.