Ireland v Canada: Last warm-up game against Canada ‘well-timed’ before World Cup – Scott Bemand

Rugby World Cup warm-up: Ireland v Canada

Venue: Affidea Stadium, Belfast Date: Saturday, 9 August Kick-off: 12:00 BST

Coverage: Live on BBC iPlayer and website with live text commentary on the website and app

Ireland head coach Scott Bemand says their final warm-up game against Canada presents an “ideal opportunity” for his side to test themselves against a “World Cup contender”.

Canada are ranked second in the world and are in Pool B for the World Cup in England where they will face Scotland, Wales and Fiji.

Ireland will take on Japan, Spain and reigning champions New Zealand in Pool C and Bemand believes the Canada game will be good preparation for what is to come at the tournament.

“Them being number two in the world I think is well deserved. They have really taken their game up levels in the last four years and it is going to be a challenge, but we need that and we want a battle before we head into the World Cup,” he told BBC Sport NI.

“It is well-timed. We want to get our best performance out there to tee us up for the next six weeks.”