What may be under-appreciated is Jack Crowley's inner steel. He has accepted his challenges, his failings, his learnings. If Ireland are to win this World Cup, he is going to have a big role.

We haven’t been in touch much because it's professional sport and we are rivals. We’ve crossed swords in each of the last three campaigns, and we both want to win

As good as Ireland's phase game is, no-one will want to play France in the World Cup quarter-finals - and that means seeing off Tonga and South Africa on successive, and sore, weekends. 

Ireland and Andy Farrell have gone all in on Johnny Sexton. Past form does not count - you need current form very quickly at the World Cup. Being out of the competitive sphere for such a long time, all his automatics are gone

If France go down, and that’s unlikely, they will die on the turf. They’d rather go home on their shields if they can’t carry them. 

La Rochelle can complete a remarkable Champions Cup-Top 14 double on Saturday. Standing in their way is a Toulouse side sprinkled with stars. But our columnist wouldn't swap his Maritimes for anyone

The Munster ten is going to have a bigger role than most people think at the World Cup in the autumn

The inside story of toil and themes, beers and barbecues, of care and connection at the heart of the club's rise to the mountain top.

The week began with La Rochelle's Irish backroom staff watching Jack Crowley emulate a former Munster out half at Lansdowne Road. It will end in the Aviva Stadium too and the French club's third Champions Cup final on the trot. 

Ten years ago, I walked into Cork Airport on Sunday morning with my ambitions and prospects of making it as some sort of professional coach in a carry-on suitcase. I had two small towels, with me. Just as well. Now read on...