Controversy surrounding Frankie Sheahan's positive durgs test and injuries to top players have failed to diminish Ireland's confidence for Saturday's test in Perth against world champions Australia.
"We've won 10 of our previous 11 matches and only been beaten once, by England," team spokesman John Redmond said today.
"Our 10 matches include a victory over Australia last November so we're in pretty good shape," he said in a telephone interview from Perth.
Irish hooker Sheahan arrived with coach Eddie O'Sullivan's depleted squad last week before flying out again on Saturday after learning he had failed a drugs test.
Sheahan tested positive for salbutamol after the European Cup semi-final between Munster and Toulouse in April and is automatically suspended from playing until European Rugby Cup, the competition's organisers, have completed their procedures.
However, Sheahan said the positive finding stemmed from his failing to fill in the right part of a form which declared the use of the substance as an anti-asthma treatment.
Redmond said: "Frank went back to Dublin on Saturday. All the indications are that it's been an administrative error."
Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll and former skipper Keith Wood will both miss Saturday's match because of injuries.
Wood, however, is training with the squad as part of the inspirational hooker's bid to play in the World Cup in Australia later this year.
Winger Denis Hickie last week joined Ireland's injury list alongside Shane Horgan, John Hayes, Jeremy Staunton, Neil Doak, number eight Anthony Foley and centre Rob Henderson.
Australia and Ireland are both due to name their teams on Tuesday.
"These injuries, every country has them. That's why we must get on with it. We are not dwelling on who we don't have," Redmond said.
"Yes, we have a lot of big names missing. We have travelled quite under-strength.
"The objective is the same, the objective is to win the match so we're confident we're going to be able to do that."
Ireland's tour includes matches against Tonga and Samoa. Australia's first test of the year on Saturday will be followed by matches against Wales and England later this month.