BEATING IRELAND WOULD BE QUILL
By DAIRE WALSH
USA flanker John Quill is looking forward to renew acquaintances with former Dolphin team-mates Niall Scannell and Darren Sweetnam at the Aviva tomorrow.
The Youghal flanker (who claims dual citizenship through his New York-born mother) played alongside both players during his time with the Cork-based All-Ireland League outfit.
“There’s definitely a few faces I’ll recognise this weekend. Played against them [Ireland] summer before last in New Jersey,” said Quill.
“Niall was playing that day. There’s always a few familiar faces when I get to tog out against the green jersey.”
It has been an encouraging 2018 to date for Gary Gold’s Statesiders – the highlight undoubtedly being their 30-29 triumph over Scotland on June 16 in Houston, Texas.
They are set to face an Ireland side that shows 14 changes to the one that put New Zealand to the sword on the same day, but Quill still acknowledges the scale of the task at hand.
“The result last weekend was an epic result for them,” he said.
“They have that squad where it doesn’t matter who they’re putting out this weekend. It’s still going to be a massive ask for us.
“We always do look forward to these challenges against the big tier one nations.
He added: “Whatever squad they put out it’s going to be a strong one. We’re just focused on ourselves a little bit as well.”