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James Lowe insisted in-form Ireland are far from \u201cinvincible\u201d as he dismissed the notion complacency could derail their Rugby World Cup dream.<\/p>\n
Andy Farrell\u2019s side have swept all before them during a 15-month stay at the top of the Test rankings which has brought 16 consecutive victories.<\/p>\n
Ireland are on the cusp of the quarter-finals in France but could still be on an early flight home as they prepare to put their impressive winning streak on the line in Saturday evening\u2019s pivotal Pool B finale against rivals Scotland.<\/p>\n
The Six Nations Grand Slam champions must prevent defeat by eight points or more in Paris to secure a knockout spot, otherwise their fate will be reliant on bonus points or head-to-head results.<\/p>\n
Leinster wing Lowe, who has already helped Ireland overcome Romania, Tonga and South Africa, is taking nothing for granted.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously it does give us confidence in what we\u2019ve done over the last three to four years in terms of what we\u2019ve built,\u201d said the 31-year-old.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know what works but even in wins there\u2019s still things to learn. Invincible? I wouldn\u2019t go anywhere near that word. Complacency is something that can\u2019t creep into this group as well and it doesn\u2019t.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe understand the serious threats and we\u2019ve respected every opposition that we\u2019ve played so far in this competition. We\u2019re just as diligent with Scotland as we were with South Africa, Romania, and Tonga.\u201d<\/p>\n
Farrell\u2019s men are essentially playing knockout rugby as they bid to confirm a likely last-eight clash with New Zealand.<\/p>\n
Ireland have won the last eight meetings with Scotland and not lost to them by at least eight points since a 31-21 warm-up defeat before the last World Cup to be staged in France, way back in 2007.<\/p>\n
\u201cLook, Scotland are an amazing team who have definitely pushed us,\u201d said New Zealand-born Lowe.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know we\u2019ve probably had the better end of the stick in the last few encounters.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re a team that play with a lot of passion, width and physicality. You respect them because you really, really don\u2019t want to lose. We\u2019re looking forward to the challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n
The build-up to the crunch clash has come amid a bedbug outbreak across Paris and other French cities.<\/p>\n
Ireland have so far been unaffected, with scrum coach John Fogarty joking that certain members of the squad have a built-in repellent.<\/p>\n
\u201cSome of the lads fumigate their beds naturally, so there\u2019s no issue,\u201d he said. \u201cSome of the front five, it\u2019s not a problem!<\/p>\n
\u201c(I) haven\u2019t come across one (bedbug) really. We have been so lucky with where we\u2019ve stayed and how well we have been looked after here in France. I haven\u2019t heard of any issues so far.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ireland had their captain\u2019s run at Stade de France on Friday morning.<\/p>\n
Injured centre Robbie Henshaw, who is expected to be sidelined until at least the semi-final stage due to a hamstring issue, was involved, albeit he was restricted to light jogging away from the other 32 players.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s good, as you saw, he\u2019s out running so he\u2019ll be assessed as we go along and we\u2019ll see after the weekend how he pitches up next week,\u201d said Fogarty.<\/p>\n