The Republic of Ireland boss Mick McCarthy has told his players to spare nothing in their challenges in training as they prepare for the World Cup finals.
The former Manchester City and Glasgow Celtic defender was a tough tackler in his playing days and he has sent the message to his players that they have to train as they intend to play as they ready themselves for a hard first World Cup game against Cameroon on June 1.
Despite the rules on tackling being harsher than ever, McCarthy is aware that risks have to be taken and he has made sure that his players are ready for the demands of games against determined and tenacious opponents.
"I like the training to be competitive, and the players know the difference between being competitive and being over the top," said McCarthy.
"We don't ever have no contact, we train properly with a bit of common sense. They will put their foot in, but there won't be any sliding tackles or clattering people from behind."
The Ireland boss has refused to set his sights too high in his first major finals – all he wants is to avoid defeat before taking on Germany and Saudi Arabia in the remaining group games.
He said: "A good result will be not to get beaten in the first game. To say a draw would be a bad result would be foolish. We shall, of course, set out to win the game, but I think it is really important not to get beaten.
"If we were to get beaten, we have got Germany coming and whatever you say about them they are still three-times winners of the World Cup, and it would make that game even harder.
"But we won't be fearing anybody. We shall pay them the respect they are due, but we don't fear any one of them."
McCarthy said that the first opponents Cameroon are not the team he expects the toughest challenge from. That honour, says the Ireland manager, can only go to a team with the pedigree of Rudi Voller's German side.
"I would put Germany as Group E favourites because of their history in tournaments. When you play against teams who have got that great history there is a difference.
"I always feel in the Premiership that when teams turn up to play Liverpool, Manchester United or Arsenal, they are not only playing against the 11, but they are playing against the history and tradition of the club too.
"There is a psychological disadvantage when you are a team who are supposedly lower down the scale than that.
"I am not suggesting that Cameroon or Saudi Arabia are lower down the scale but if you have got Germany in your group, they are three-times winners and they are vastly experienced.
"Maybe Germany are not a great side now, not what they have been in the past in terms of potential winners, but I think just because of the players they have got and the history they have got with winning it and being good in tournaments, they will know how to handle it - certainly better than a lot of our lads.
"I know that England scored an impressive win over the Germans in qualifying but it was one of those days when everything went in.
"If you look at the two sets of results since, England have not really performed brilliantly whereas Germany's results have been good."
McCarthy was pleased to have taken his squad to the tranquility of a tropical island base camp before the final trip to Japan for the three matches.
He said: "It is quite nice to be anonymous almost, because nobody is really bothered about the World Cup here.
"I watch Roy Keane walking around and he is not signing autographs every 10 seconds like he is at home and everywhere else we go.
"The locals might like their football but it is not a big story us being here, there is no hype - that will come when we get to Japan."
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