The wait is finally over, the world is watching and Wales is set to host the third game of the 2015 Rugby World Cup between Ireland and Canada.

The Irish will be eager to shake off the two defeats they suffered in their warm-up matches by posting a big score on the Canucks. The Six Nations champions are expected to thump their Tier 2 opponents but they have withered under the weight of expectation in previous tournaments.

IRELAND

Joe Schmidt has named a strong side for Saturday’s game but Robbie Henshaw has been left out after he picked up a late hamstring injury, so Luke Fitzgerald is set to make his belated World Cup debut at inside centre.

Rob Kearney has overcome a knee injury to reclaim his starting spot with his brother Dave and Keith Earls coming in to complete a back three that are guaranteed to be pursuing plenty of high balls.

Jonny Sexton and Connor Murray resume their ever-impressive half back partnership and Jared Payne starts at alongside Fitzgerald in the midfield.

Paul O’Connell will lead the side out on his 106th international appearance and he will be joined by Iain Henderson in the engine room. Schmidt makes no other changes to the pack that started against England.

Ireland have an astute coach, an effective, if low-risk, game plan, two world-class half backs and a pack with the ability to bully any other set of forwards in the tournament. But they lack strength in depth and any injuries to their star men could de-rail their campaign, so expect to see the bench emptied early if they hold a commanding lead.

One to watch: Connor Murray

Murrary makes Ireland tick. His swift service provides Sexton with all the time he needs and his pin-point box-kicking is just as important to Ireland’s game plan. Getting to him will be the only way Canada can avoid an aerial bombardment.

He will expect to be operating behind a dominating pack on Saturday, so he should have a bit of room to run and he’ll undoubtedly exploit every inch of space the Canadian backs dare to leave, with his reliable right boot.

CANADA

The Canucks will not be overly confident after losing all four of their games in the Pacific Nations Cup and they are without star man Tyler Ardron, but head coach Kieran Crowley insists his underdogs can impose themselves by getting the set piece right.

Clermont colossus Jamie Cudmore will lead out the side and prepare to lock horns once again with his opposite man, who also happens to be the Irish skipper. There’s no love lost between he and O’Connell.

The wingers also have plenty of experience against Irish players, as PRO12 players Jeff Hassler (Ospreys) starts on one flank and DTH van der Merwe (Glasgow/Scarlets) takes his place on the other.

Cornish Pirates No.8 Aaron Carpenter, John Moonlight and Kyle Gilmour will have their work cut out as they attempt to compete with the unrelenting efforts of Peter O’Mahony and Sean O’Brien, but they also have the tough task of shutting down Ireland’s superb scrum-half.

One to watch: Jamie Cudmore

The 37-year-old was forced to sit on the sidelines with injury during Canada’s Pacific Nations Cup campaign so he will be itching to return to the international arena and confront the Irish pack head on.

The Canadian enforcer, who was once banned for five weeks for punching O’Connell, will set the intensity and aggression levels, and his awesome power has the potential to cause Ireland problems.

PREDICTION

The Canadians rarely lack heart and they certainly won’t shy away when confronted by the aggression of the Irish pack, but this side full of semi-pros can’t realistically expect to overcome one of the tournament favourites.

Schmidt’s side won’t just be looking to win, they will be keen to make a statement with a sizeable score in their opening match. Ireland by 30.

By Nathan Hyde (@NathanHyde2)

Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images