Toner targets win over Australia

Devin Toner says Ireland need to beat Australia in Dublin on Saturday for their four-game November international series to be judged successful.

Ireland claimed their maiden Test victory over New Zealand in Chicago on 5 November, and followed it up with a win over Canada in Dublin, but second row Toner says Saturday's 21-9 defeat to the All Blacks at Lansdowne Road on Saturday night has taken the gloss of the series.

"Australia have had a gruelling tour with lots of big games and they'll want to finish on a high," Toner said ahead of next week's Test in Dublin.

"I think we need to beat Australia to be able to call this run of Tests a success.

"We want to do that as well, so to do that we know we'll have to prepare very well, pull our socks up and get stuck into things straight away on Monday."

Toner feels Ireland are on the right track after moving up to fourth in the world rankings, and says there is a new-found confidence in the camp following the historic win over the back-to-back world champions at the start of the month.

"It's hugely positive for the squad for that win and then another performance against the All Blacks, and one of the big things for our confidence is the lads coming off the bench," Toner continued.

"Josh van der Flier was excellent, he had a big presence and slotted in really well.

"Garry Ringrose did a good job when he came on too, slotting in after Robbie Henshaw's injury.

"It's growing the kind of depth the coaches want and have challenged us to be able to offer."

Photo (©INPHO/Billy Strickland)

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