Ireland

Ireland survived injuries to talismans Johnny Sexton, Paul O’Connell and Peter O’Mahoney to book a quarter-final clash with Argentina by beating France with some comfort, 24-9, on Sunday afternoon.

Centre Jared Payne has been ruled out of the World Cup with a fractured foot, Ireland have confirmed.

French big hitters Louis Picamoles and Noa Nakaitaci will both start for France against Ireland in Cardiff on Sunday.

Ireland must beware Louis Picamoles' broadened horizons in Sunday's pivotal World Cup clash with France, according to Simon Easterby.

Paul O'Connell has fired up Ireland's forwards for Sunday's pivotal battle with France by detailing all their World Cup shortcomings.

Peter O'Mahony's desperate try-saving tackle on Josh Furno spared Ireland's blushes in a 16-9 victory over Italy, as Joe Schmidt's men qualified for the World Cup quarter-finals.

Ireland expect to be "battered up front and pushed to the limit" by Italy in Sunday's crucial World Cup encounter at London's Olympic Stadium.

Fullback Rob Kearney and centre Jared Payne are both unavailable for Ireland's crucial World Cup clash with Italy on Sunday.

Jared Payne must prove his fitness on Thursday to be eligible for selection for Ireland's pivotal Rugby World Cup clash with Italy on Sunday.

Robbie Henshaw remains a doubt for Ireland's second World Cup clash against Romania at Wembley on Sunday.

Former Ireland flanker Kevin McLaughlin is the latest in a worrying trend of rugby stars forced to prematurely retire from the game due to concussion-related issues.

Rob Kearney is "more than happy" to chase peak match sharpness and start Ireland's World Cup clash against Romania at Wembley Stadium on Sunday.

Ireland got their World Cup campaign off to a flying start with a dominant, eight-try display in Cardiff that saw them run rampant over Canada, 50-7.

Robbie Henshaw will miss Ireland's World Cup opener against Canada after suffering a hamstring injury.

Ireland have received a significant World Cup boost with prop Cian Healy passed fit to start after neck surgery.

Richardt Strauss believes the wake-up call of two Test match defeats will be enough to shock Ireland back into top form at the World Cup.

Joe Schmidt fears Canada could prove "an incredible banana skin" for an Ireland side chasing their best-ever World Cup return.

England will enter the World Cup armed with a confidence-enhancing 21-13 victory over Ireland but will know they should have emerged more convincing winners over the RBS 6 Nations champions in their final warm-up game.

Ireland will wheel out all available big guns for their final World Cup warm-up match against England at Twickenham on Saturday, except Cian Healy and Rob Kearney.

Andrew Trimble has been omitted from Ireland's World Cup squad.