Jackman: Rassie's 7:1 bench split should be encouraged
After a weekend where Fiji beat England, France thrashed Australia and Ireland were given a real scare by Samoa, it would take something big to dominate this week's rugby discourse.
Rugby World Cup Sport News
Tadhg Beirne: Ireland camp 'feeling much better' than 2019
He's not the first Ireland player to hint that things are very different to the last regime and Tadhg Beirne has hailed Andy Farrell’s management as the squad gear up the for World Cup "feeling much better" than four years ago.
RTÉ Rugby podcast: Irish squad reaction, Boks' big bench and Fiji's famous win
Neil Treacy is joined by Bernard Jackman and Mick Kearney on this week's RTÉ Rugby podcast.
Samoa's Andrew Goodman backs Ireland to 'go really deep' in World Cup
Ireland are genuine contenders to lift the Rugby World Cup and will "go really deep" in the competition, according to Samoa and Leinster assistant coach Andrew Goodman. New Zealander Goodman watched from the sidelines on Saturday evening in Bayonne as Ireland stretched their winning run to 13 matches with a narrow 17-13 success over Samoa. The 40-year-old former Leinster player, who has been working with the Pacific island nation since 2021, has connections with many of Ireland's squad having returned to the Dublin-based province last year to assist Leo Cullen. Asked if Ireland are serious challengers for the Webb Ellis Cup, he replied: "Definitely, they've been playing outstanding footy.
Conor Murray: Rugby World Cup is a different animal for in-form Ireland
Conor Murray acknowledges Ireland's record-breaking winning run and impressive achievements under Andy Farrell will count for very little at the Rugby World Cup.
French air traffic controllers threaten strike during Rugby World Cup
French air traffic controllers' main union SNCTA on Tuesday called for strike action on 15 September, two days before Ireland take on Tonga in Nantes.
Dan Sheehan 'delighted with great week in rehab' as World Cup looms
Dan Sheehan admits he was concerned about his World Cup prospects when limping off against England but says he can't wait to get going in France.
Romania lose trio to injury ahead of World Cup including Mihai Macovei
Experienced back row Mihai Macovei is one of three Romania players who have dropped out of their World Cup squad due to injury.