Stephen Ferris: World Cup schedule working out for Ireland

Stephen Ferris reckons Ireland's World Cup schedule has "panned out really well", as they take a well-earned break from action this weekend.

Andy Farrell’s team are in the middle of a two-week break following last Saturday’s Pool B win over South Africa.

It was their third game in three weeks, having seen off the challenges of Romania and Tonga in the opening rounds.

Scotland, who play Romania tomorrow night, are Ireland’s next opponents and the window between Ireland’s last two games, as well as allowing recovering players to get back to full fitness, also permits plenty of time to get their emotions in check after a pulsating, nerve-racking victory over the world champions.

Former Ireland back row Ferris, speaking on RTÉ’s coverage of Japan's win over Samoa, said: "The way the format has been staggered for Ireland... I think it’s sort of panned out really well for us.

"In terms of the group games, the week off after the big, massive high of beating South Africa, then you are building into the Scotland week, which is a must-win game.

"The boys have been in Disneyland Paris with their families for a couple of days, the other guys have been out and about seeing parts of the country.

"[The Springboks match] almost felt like a World Cup final, the crowds that were there cheering us on, 30-40,000 Irish fans there, the amount of people watching on television, it was just extraordinary.

"If we had to play New Zealand in a World Cup quarter-final this weekend, after coming off such a big high, I would be a little more cautious going into a game if we were playing a quarter-final this week – but we’re not, and that’s the beauty of this competition so far for us."

Scotland take on the Oaks in Lille, while World Cup holders South Africa