David Humphreys: Ireland v Tonga Talking Points

Former Ulster and Ireland out-half David Humphreys assesses the opening round of the Rugby World Cup and challenges facing Andy Farrell's hopeful Ireland side as they face Tonga.

The first weekend of matches made for an interesting start to Rugby World Cup.

France confirming their status as favourites with a comfortable win over the All Blacks, Wales very lucky in a breathless match with Fiji and 14-man England with a dour but dominant display in beating one of the tournament's outside bets, Argentina.

In Ireland’s Pool B, South Africa had an easier ride against Scotland than many expected, whereas Ireland’s performance was almost everything we could have hoped for to kick off the competition.

Twelve tries, some very good individual performances from Bundee Aki, Joe McCarthy and Peter O’Mahony, and Johnny Sexton slotting back into the team as if he hadn’t been out of the game for a week, let alone six months.

Going into the match there were some concerns raised about the heat in the Bordeaux Stadium. It was incredibly hot at kick-off but watching the game live, Ireland looked fit and strong, epitomised by a length-of-the-field try in the last minute of game and a huge amount of credit must go to the coaching and performance team for the way they have prepared the players for France.

It was such a contrast to previous World Cups where we have looked tired and jaded from the first game.

Selection will always be a cause of great debate in sport.

There’s no question that Andy Farrell and his coaching team will have discussed at length their selection strategy for the pool stages and it looks like a very good decision to go full strength this week against Tonga.

Anyone who watched the France v Uruguay match last night will have