Ireland focus on Russia after distractions

Injuries to key players, speculation about a loyal servant retiring and accusations of faking injuries - it's been an eventful week for Ireland heading into their Pool C match against Russia at Rotorua International Stadium on Sunday.

The Irish are still riding high after their stunning 15-6 victory over Australia but they have had to deal with several distractions in camp this week.

Veteran fly half Ronan O'Gara, 34, fronted the media on Wednesday to explain his comments that "I'm done with Ireland in a few weeks", made after the emotional win over the Tri Nations champions.

"It's important for me to put an end to that (speculation) because it's a distraction the team doesn't need. In my own head, I'll reassess at the end of the World Cup," said O'Gara, who will earn his 114th cap for Ireland on Sunday.

But O'Gara only fuelled the speculation he would call it quits at the end of RWC 2011, prompting team manager Paul McNaughton to say on Thursday that the Irish camp was "happy" with their fly half's "definitive" explanation.

Kidney's anger

The next issue emanated from former Wallaby great Tim Horan, who claimed he was told by Ireland assistant coach Alan Gaffney, also an Australian, that the Irish faked injuries against the Wallabies to slow down the match.

"I think it's incredulous and frankly scandalous that he would try and bring one of his own fellow countrymen into something that is just totally untrue," Ireland coach Declan Kidney said on Friday.

For the match with Russia on Sunday, Kidney has made nine changes from the starting XV that defeated Australia.

Three of those changes were forced through injuries, with the Irish not willing to risk wing Tommy Bowe (calf), second row Paul O'Connell and centre Gordon D'Arcy (both hamstring).

Second row Leo Cullen will wear the captain's armband in place of rested centre Brian O'Driscoll.

"After the weekend, with the Australia performance, there’s a real good buzz in the camp," said Cullen, one of eight Leinster players in the starting XV this weekend.

Maintaining momentum

"I think for the guys that are playing this week, there’s a massive responsibility to carry on that momentum we have."

Hooker Rory Best said it was crucial that Ireland did not drop their standards against Russia, who lost 53-17 to Italy in Nelson on Tuesday after the stirring win against Australia.

"I think sometimes the frustrating thing from an Irish point of view is that we've shown in the past that we have these performances in us. The big thing for us now is to show a bit more consistency," he said.

Russia scrum half Alexander Yanyushkin - the shortest player at RWC 2011 at 165cm - will take over the captaincy from Vladislav Korshunov.

Yanyushkin created history on Tuesday when he scored Russia's first Rugby World Cup try - four months after an operation to repair a torn achilles tendon.

"I feel equal with my teammates, although everyone around is taller than me," he said. "Yes, I am the smallest, but at the same time I am one of the fastest, as well."

Ireland defeated Russia 35-3 at Krasnoyarsk in a qualifier for RWC 2003 in September, 2002 in the only meeting between the countries.