Toner: Rugby World Cup schedule will work in Ireland's favour

While Ireland have landed themselves in the pool of death at the Rugby World Cup, Devin Toner believes that the schedule of games has fallen kindly for Andy Farrell's side as they look to build towards their peak.

The Six Nations champions get their RWC campaign under way against minnows Romania in Bordeaux on Saturday afternoon, with their opening game in stark contrast to France and New Zealand, who meet each other on Friday night in Paris.

While the meeting of France and New Zealand is likely to decide Pool A, the pair will have their toughest group stage game out of the way early, allowing them manage their squad ahead of the quarter-finals in October.

Ireland, meanwhile, will have a altogether different route, with their easier matches up first against Romania and Tonga, before their two toughest games against South Africa and Scotland.

It means Ireland could head into their final pool match against Scotland needing to win to stay in the competition, but Devin Toner thinks it's the ideal layout for Andy Farrell's side if they want to reach their peak later in the tournament.

"If I was given the choice I think I would take Ireland's one [schedule] to be honest," he told the RTÉ Rugby podcast.

The former Ireland second row believes the pool stage layout also benefits out-half Johnny Sexton, who is set to return following a six-month layoff, allowing him build up game time ahead of facing the Springboks and Scots.

"I’m not saying that Romania and Tonga are going to be warm-up games but they are games that we should win.

"First of all, it gives Johnny a chance to get back in and play the game and get games under his belt and then South Africa will be the huge physical one.

"Scotland will be hard but not as physical as South