Brendan O’Brien looks at what was learned from the weekend’s action at the Rugby World Cup...

As a veteran of the 2003 and 2007 tournaments, Leinster coach Girvan Dempsey can easily identify with the emotions that the Irish squad will be experiencing ahead of the upcoming Rugby World Cup.

Gardaí investigating Longford helicopter crash release man; Torrential early rain left its mark on the Old Course at St Andrews as play was suspended for more than three hours; A police officer in the US is being investigated after a video has emerged of him arresting a naked woman in her home. Here’s today's lunchtime irishexaminer.com round-up.

A man is being questioned this morning in connection with a helicopter crash in Longford; Jordan Spieth ready for brutal day at St Andrews; and A gunman has killed at least four US Marines in Tennessee before he was shot dead by police; Briana Jungwirth’s stepmother fears having a baby with Louis Tomlinson will "ruin" her life. Here’s this morning’s irishexaminer.com round-up.

Before the 2011 Rugby World Cup, the All Blacks did an exercise with control circles called The Attention Seeker. Two circles were drawn on a white board, one titled ‘Can Control’ and another titled ‘Can’t Control’.

Milton Haig has spent three years preaching the rugby gospel in Georgia in his role as the national team’s head coach, but the Kiwi will find it hard to top the influence he has had on the Irish game’s improving fortunes.

Momentum. Simon Zebo referenced it four times inside three minutes as he dissected Ireland’s defeat of South Africa over the weekend and it is a word that must resonate with many of his colleagues inside the Irish dressing-room, writes Brendan O'Brien.

Could Ireland mount a successful bid for the 2023 Rugby World Cup? The early signs are positive

Mils Muliaina has become the become Connacht Rugby's first ever All Black after signing a one-year contract today.

I have been monitoring the proposals for a conference centre in Cork City. This is a great opportunity, if we look at the greater scheme of things.

With ten Irish players gone for the summer to Australia with the British and Irish Lions, the season isn’t over for everyone else.

Samoan international, James So’oialo, younger brother of former All-Blacks Number 8 Rodney So’oialo and former Harlequins scrum half Stephen will join Connacht this summer.

Head coach Warren Gatland has named nine Irish players in the British and Irish Lions squad for this summer’s tour of Hong Kong and Australia.

The 2013 Six Nations came to an end for Ireland with a whimper in Rome, a far cry from the stunning first half against eventual champions Wales just six short weeks before.

He may have already played his last game for Ireland, but today we pay tribute to the man who always kept his cool - even a meeting with the Queen couldn’t faze him.

England coach Stuart Lancaster will this morning confirm his starting line-up for Sunday’s RBS 6 Nations game against Ireland in Dublin – and he is expected to keep changes to a minimum.

Ireland and Leinster full back Rob Kearney has agreed terms to a new two-year contract with the IRFU to continue playing with Leinster until the end of the 2014/15 season.

Wales and Scarlets fullback Morgan Stoddart has announced that he will retire from rugby following the serious leg double fracture he sustained playing for Wales against England in August 2011.

South Africa head coach Heyneke Meyer has entrusted 22-year-old Pat Lambie with flyhalf responsibilities for Saturday’s meeting with Ireland in the Aviva Stadium (5.30pm).

Saracens Rugby confirmed that recent signing Chris Ashton was attacked and struck with a glass while out with teammates in London on Saturday night.

Warren Gatland is prepared for “one hell of a challenge” after being confirmed as the British and Irish Lions’ head coach for the 2013 tour of Australia.

Australia coach Robbie Deans has confirmed utility James O’Connor will miss at least the first two Tests of the Rugby Championship through injury, while Quade Cooper is doubtful for the tournament opener against New Zealand on Saturday week.

All Blacks Corey Jane and Richard Kahui have both been ruled out of the June test series against Ireland after picking up injuries in Super 15 games.

Rob Kearney was voted Players’ Player of the Year at the province’s Annual Awards ceremony in the Mansion House, Dublin, last night.

International wing Tommy Bowe who will return to play in Ireland with Ulster next season until 2015.

Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder has joined former New Zealand assistant Wayne Smith in ruling himself out of contention to be the next permanent England head coach.

Northampton director of rugby Jim Mallinder has joined former New Zealand assistant Wayne Smith in ruling himself out of contention to be the next permanent England head coach.

The IRFU has today secured the signatures of Ireland internationals Keith Earls and Denis Leamy which will see them remain with Munster for a further two years until 2014.

Referees for this season’s RBS 6 Nations championship have been told to carry on their emphasis on the International Rugby Board’s five main areas of concern outlined before the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

England and Sale prop Andrew Sheridan will join Toulon this summer.

IRELAND are hoping to have a new team manager in place before the start of the RBS 6 Nations Championship next month but are still assessing the candidates to succeed Paul McNaughton.

Mike Tindall has been reinstated in England’s elite player squad and had a £25,000 (€29,124) fine reduced to £15,000 (€17,475) after an appeal against the punishment meted out for his off-field World Cup behaviour.

THE All Blacks are just 80 minutes away from a €1.75m payday.

INCENDIARY tweets, guerrilla gum shields and mean-spirited old farts – kind of makes you yearn for the innocent pleasures of dwarf throwing and bungee jumping doesn’t it?

Courtney Lawes faces the possibility of missing the rest of England’s Rugby World Cup campaign after being cited for allegedly striking Argentina hooker Mario Ledesma with his knee.

WALES coach Warren Gatland has tipped history-maker Sam Warburton to leave a lasting impression on the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Meeting financial targets doesn’t seem such a problem for the RWC head honcho after the Christchurch disaster. Brendan O’Brien spoke to Mike Miller.

He’s gone from being the most reviled man in New Zealand to the most in-demand and back to the most pressurised. At 65, why does Graham Henry still do it, asks Murray Kidd.

AT 33 the pain of exclusion should be greater than ever. But it’s not.

THE squad is set, the seats on the plane to New Zealand have been allocated and all Ireland need now is to ensure there is no unwanted baggage travelling with them to the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

Italy coach Nick Mallett has named a 30-man squad for the World Cup in New Zealand.

THOSE who like to champion young players will be pleased at the elevation of both Felix Jones and Conor Murray into the Irish squad to begin preparations later this month for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

IN these parts, the British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand in 2005 is not remembered in the fondest of terms. A ‘blackwash’ by the home side, recriminations in the touring party and ‘that’ spear tackle are the abiding recollections of a miserable Test series on the fields of Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland.