Ireland coach Joe Schmidt wary of Canada 'banana skin'

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt believes Canada will provide a stern test for his side in their opening World Cup game.

The Canadians are ranked only 18th in the world but Schmidt is refusing to underestimate them ahead of the Pool D clash in Cardiff on Saturday week.

"I know that people probably won't see them in the same light, but I think they are an incredible banana skin for us," said Schmidt, whose side are quoted at 1/500 to win the game by Sky Bet.

"And you don't have to look back too far to 2007 and assumptions can undo teams very, very quickly. We're not assuming anything other than Canada will be right up for the game."

The dismal showing in 2007 remains the only time the Irish have failed to progress from the World Cup pool stages, although they are yet to reach the semi-finals.

Argentina and hosts France qualified at Ireland's expense eight years ago, and Schmidt is determined his side will not suffer a similar fate.

France are Ireland's chief Pool D rivals at this World Cup, but Italy are desperate not to make up the numbers in a group also containing Romania.

The final group game is against France, but former Leinster coach Schmidt insists he will not take any early selection risks against Canada, especially after consecutive Test defeats to Wales and England.

"I know their coaching staff really well with Kieran Crowley, Neil Barnes and Leo Crowley there, I know the skipper really well in Jamie Cudmore," said Schmidt.

"And I just think the threat across the backline that they have, it could be one of those games where if it's a bit dour up front and it's hard to get a lot of success there, you don't need to invite Jeff Hessler or DTH Van der Merwe into the game too often for them to have a pretty serious impact on the scoreboard.

"So from that perspective we just don't feel we can afford to take chances."