McDermott primed for showdown

Barrie McDermott brings BBC Sport Online the inside story on Ireland's preparations for the World Cup quarter-final against England.

The mood in the camp is buoyant and we are very pleased with what we've been able to achieve so far.

If you would have told us at the start of the tournament that this is where we would have got to, we'd have been more than happy.

Obviously, we realise we are in with a really good chance of causing an upset.

We haven't many any special preparations for taking on England.

Personally, I prepare for every game the same way, whether it be a Superleague game or an international.

Glitz and glamour

This is just a bigger stage and I think, as a professional, you have to take that attitude or you just get carried away with the glitz and glamour and everything else that comes along with it.

As far as the rest of the team goes, we are based up in Sheffield and it's all quite relaxed.

We are not in the thick of it like we would be if we were based in Leeds.

I know others have said we should have had more access to the city we are playing England in, but you just have to deal with that kind of thing.

I'm not into the negative aspects anyway - I think the World Cup has been a huge success as a whole.

Headingley is a magnificent stadium and it seem to treble in size when it's full and all the people are shouting

  Barrie McDermott

I heard England have asked Leeds fans not to pledge their allegiance to the Rhinos players like myself who are representing Ireland, but I wouldn't want that anyway.

Support the game

I'd be disappointed if that happened... I just want the fans to support the game rather than individuals.

I want them to create the kind of atmosphere that I know they can.

Headingley is a magnificent stadium and it seems to treble in size when it's full and all the people are shouting.

I'm not that bothered whether they cheer or boo Ireland really.

Looking at the threat from England, all the focus seems to be on Sean Long, who I admit is a tremendous talent.

Whichever combination they do play out wide and in the centre, they can cause us big problems.

Keith Senior must have gone close to getting the Man of Steel award and Jamie Peacock has had a fantastic tournament as well.

Speed and size

The speed and size of their pack is another thing we'll have to cater for.

I'm looking forward to playing against some of my Leeds team-mates as well.

There's been banter about this one for months with people like Darren Fleary and Andy Hay, but we'll all be having a beer together after the game.

The person buying the round depends on who gets one over on who.