There can't be many phrases as condescending in sport as 'Tier 2'.

Joe Schmidt will ask his team of All Blacks slayers to do it all over again this Saturday as Ireland attempt to win a World Cup quarter-final for the first time in their history.

Whether or not Japan, the Brave Blossoms, continue to defy the odds, in this Sunday’s World Cup quarter-final, the success of Jamie Joseph’s side, on home soil, should open doors at world rugby’s top table.

It may have taken time to make an impact, but this World Cup has finally captured the interest and imagination of the Japanese public — thanks in no small part to the exploits of their national team.

Johnny Sexton insists Ireland’s World Cup squad are all business as they prepare for Saturday’s quarter-final against the All Blacks, a stark contrast to four years ago when he believes they were overly emotional a week too early.

Bodies and minds rested after a weekend off in Fukuoka, Ireland’s players return to work today looking for the elusive spark that could propel them past Samoa and onto a World Cup quarter-final with confidence renewed.

‘The Shock of Shizuoka’, as it became known around the world, was alluded to by a number of Japanese media outlets in the build up to last Saturday.

And breathe... Nine days will separate yesterday’s highly unsatisfactory defeat of Russia in Kobe and Ireland’s final pool match, against Samoa in Fukuoka, and the sense from the outside looking in is of a squad that should relish the weekend break to come and the chance to switch off from rugby for a bit.

The underlying narrative behind the decision to stage the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan is that it is an opportunity to give a huge impetus to the game in a country where it is — relatively speaking — a marginal presence.

Ireland won’t make any knee-jerk decisions following their shock World Cup defeat to Japan as the camp looks to quickly get their Pool A campaign back on track following the mother of all rugby upsets.

Joe Schmidt backed a cool and calm Jack Carty to run the Ireland show in Johnny Sexton’s absence as part of the head coach’s plan to ruin Japan’s World Cup party at Stadium Ecopa tomorrow (8.15am Irish time).

The South American minnows, who were playing their first game of the tournament, condemned the Pacific Islanders to their second defeat in five days to leave their Pool D qualification hopes in tatters.

If there’s one thing we’ve learned through Trump and Brexit and any number of other modern misadventures then it must be the depressing truth that facts and logic come a distant second to raw emotion and an indignant sense of righteousness.

Felix Jones could join the Springboks coaching set-up ahead of the World Cup, according to reports in South Africa.

During this year’s Six Nations, the vast majority of the players on show last Saturday were either watching from the bench, the stands or from the comfort of their couches.

It was four summers ago that Tommy O’Donnell feared the worst for his playing career, never mind his future at Test level.

Injury may have diluted Joey Carbery's first year with Munster but the province's out-half believes the time he did manage to bank as the starting ten will stand him in good stead as he targets the upcoming World Cup.

He's not the only big name to miss out in a reshuffled squad.

Devin Toner’s World Cup ambitions remain intact with the news that the Leinster second row faces just a 4-6 week recovery period from the knee injury suffered against Munster in last week’s Guinness PRO14 semi-final.

Alex Goode feels he is the victim of a witch hunt at Saracens as the club’s all-for-one, one-for-all attitude goes out of the window when it comes to the squad’s fantasy football league.

Peter Jackson gets over the gain line, behind the headline

A record opening partnership of 365 between John Campbell and Shai Hope led the West Indies to a crushing 196-run victory over Ireland in their one-day international in Clontarf.

The commercial firm owned by Irish rugby legend, Paul O’Connell last year enjoyed a bumper year as accumulated profits topped €2m for the first time.

This week represents a step back in time for some of Ireland’s senior players.

Rory Best has demanded an 80-minute performance from Ireland as they bid to stop Wales winning the Grand Slam in Cardiff today after the Irish camp insisted on keeping the Principality Stadium roof open for the Guinness Six Nations final-round game.

As difficult as defeat is to swallow for an Ireland side so used to being on the right side of the competitive ledger, the bruising loss to England must be digested very quickly.

Some of the reaction to Ireland’s defeat by England last weekend has been crazy, writes Donal Lenihan.

Steve Hansen will leave his role as New Zealand head coach with his record “unsurpassed”, according to All Blacks chairman Brent Impey.

Ireland captain Rory Best has backed Andy Farrell to thrive as Ireland head coach, when he replaces Joe Schmidt after next year’s World Cup.

Joe Schmidt isn’t the only one whose future will be become clear before Christmas.

Jamie Joseph has revealed Japan’s “amateurs” receive less than £14 (€16) a day on tour and will face England on Saturday hunting nothing but glory.

So, that’s that then. No Conor Murray next month. Possibly Ireland’s most important player and he’s unavailable for the visit of the All Blacks, writes Brendan O’Brien.

Eddie Jones has swatted aside doubt over his future by declaring he is ready to restore England to the summit of the game.

Ireland captain Peter O’Mahony has backed fly-half Joey Carbery to take the huge opportunity handed to the 22-year-old when he starts the first Test against Australia on Saturday morning.

Michael Cheika may not have envied Joe Schmidt the task of telling Johnny Sexton he would be watching tomorrow’s kick-off at Suncorp Stadium from the bench but the man who made the call had no hesitation in handing Joey Carbery Ireland’s No. 10 jersey.

There will be no sentiment when Australia fly-half Bernard Foley locks horns once again with Ireland on Saturday bidding for a first victory over the old country at the third attempt.

Joe Schmidt described choosing the 32 players he will take to Australia next month as the most difficult process of his tenure as Ireland head coach but it is clear he has selected a squad with a series victory over the Wallabies at the top of his priority list.

Devin Toner is already the proud owner of three Heineken Cup medals and yet there is a sense that a first Champions Cup trinket would outweigh them all.

Stuart Lancaster has labeled Jonathan Sexton as the “complete” player and suggested the out-half could even emulate Tom Brady by excelling at the elite level beyond his 40th birthday.

Stuart Lancaster has joined the public chorus of voices calling for Joey Carbery to stay at Leinster.

Andrew Trimble last night called time on an illustrious playing career with Ulster and Ireland by announcing he will retire at the end of the season.

He scored 14 tries in 33 internationals for Scotland.

Scott Fardy has clearly had it with close shaves.

After the 2015 World Cup, the Racing 92 coaching ticket was invited to meet the ex-England head coach Stuart Lancaster in Paris, writes Ronan O’Gara.