Big scalps fuel Fiji belief with history on line

Fiji co-captain Tevita Ikanivere says a series of landmark scalps of Test rugby's leading nations has fuelled belief his in-form side can claim a historic first victory over Ireland.

The Pacific Islanders travelled to Dublin brimming with confidence on the back of six wins from seven games and having upset England, Australia and Wales during the past 15 months.

Fiji have lost each of their previous five meetings with Six Nations champions Ireland, including a 35-17 defeat in 2022 on their last visit to Aviva Stadium.

"Once you achieve success, it’s hard not to believe that you can go further," hooker Ikanivere said.

"Once you taste success, you just want to keep going to the next step and trying to achieve the next big thing, and that’s what this team is about now: trying to move and get better and move forward.

"To come and make history, be the first Fijian side to beat the Irish, here in Ireland, would be great. That’s the goal, that’s the plan.

"We take confidence in the work we’ve done and the hard work we’ve put in through the week and hopefully we come out here tomorrow and [claim] a historic win."

Fiji stunned Twickenham in August last year by registering a maiden success over England before ending their 69-year wait to defeat the Wallabies thanks to a pool-stage triumph at the Rugby World Cup in France.

Earlier this month, Mick Byrne’s men piled more misery on Warren Gatland’s beleaguered Wales with a milestone first win in Cardiff.

"We like playing tier one nations, getting challenged and I think the boys are up for it," added Ikanivere.

"We’ve trained well through the week in the cold, in the rain, and we’re looking forward to coming out tomorrow and putting on a show for everybody."

Ireland have made an underwhelming