Crouch, pause, touch, engage... and, hopefully, do enough hand-shaking, grinning for the cameras, and small-talk to drive us over the line.

There are genuine reasons for concern over Brexit’s impact on Ireland’s bid for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, writes Paul Rouse.

Former Ireland great Gordon D’Arcy has backed Ireland’s bid for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Ireland have won three out of their four Tests in the Series.

Razzamatazz came home this week when the IRFU launched its bid to host the 2023 World Cup.

The team line-up for Ireland’s latest World Cup clash against Romania may have been much changed from the opening weekend, but the hordes of travelling fans remain as reliable as old boots, no matter what the occasion.

Keith Wood was a member of three Irish World Cup squads and he admits that the thoughts of going to the latest tournament with just two specialists in such a specialist position as scrum-half makes him uncomfortable.

Keith Wood has described Ireland’s repeated failure to progress beyond the World Cup quarter-finals as “a horrible and embarrassing statistic”.

If there are no last-minute hitches in the contract discussions with his prospective new employers, then James McClean could be playing against Manchester United at Wembley on Sunday.

Ireland’s World Cup qualification hopes are hanging by a thread after they were stunned 2-0 by Belarus at the World League 2 in Valencia yesterday.

As the head coaches and captains did the rounds in the post-World Cup pool draw interview session on Monday there were many opportunities for handshakes, jokes and snatched conversations between their various media obligations.

Declan Kidney is undoubtedly Ireland’s most successful coach of the modern era.

GEORDAN MURPHY reckons Leicester team-mate Niall Morris is on the fast-track to the Ireland side — and has tipped the youngster to show why against Ulster this evening.

FIRST this and first that, Conor Murray must be tired of it already.

PAUL O’CONNELL believes Wales can win the World Cup and would like to see Ireland’s conquerors bring home the William Webb Ellis trophy.

KEITH EARLS is up and running, and for a player with his pace that’s a frightening prospect for opposition defences.

THE US space agency NASA should expect a thank you card from Stephen Ferris.

Paul O’Connell believes a successful Irish World Cup campaign depends on achieving the right balance between playing open, exciting rugby and grinding out difficult victories.

THE competition for scrum-half places in Declan Kidney’s rugby World Cup squad is intensifying but Isaac Boss is relishing the battle for places over the next four weeks of intense preparation for the tournament.

Rory McIlroy and Graeme McDowell maintained Ireland’s lead at the Omega Mission Hills World Cup at three shots after carding a battling four-under-par 68 in today’s foursomes.

NOW all of 85 years of age, Tomás Mac Giolla made a rare public appearance in the pages of Hot Press this week, reflecting on a colourful and controversial life in Republican and left-wing politics in Ireland.

Glasgow Warriors 17 Saracens 21

WHILE the Genesis report as presented by the IRFU on Monday evening didn’t carry a single direct reference to the Irish coach, Eddie O’Sullivan, it has considerable implications for a man who has come in for fierce criticism from many quarters from the day the Irish World Cup challenge began to unravel.

ARGENTINA’S World Cup star Felipe Contepomi is ready to launch another team towards tournament glory this weekend.

THERE ARE many reasons to mourn Ireland’s absence from this summer’s World Cup, and not the least of them is that at the game’s very highest level, the country’s record goalscorer won’t get the chance to strike when the iron is red-hot.

Republic of Ireland hero Shay Given fears a repeat of their Swiss heartache if the Irish reproduce their shambles in Cyprus.

Richard Dunne still sees a bright future for the Republic of Ireland despite a defeat to France which has darkened the outlook for Irish World Cup hopes.

Robbie Keane today delivered a defiant message to Switzerland by warning: “We owe you one.”

Edinburgh 14 Gwent Dragons 19

JUST weeks before a Cabinet decision on the issue, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and Tánaiste Mary Harney were last night once again at loggerheads over a National Stadium at Abbotstown.

Ulster 27 Edinburgh 21

Munster Captain Jim Williams was today named as the Guinness Draught Can Irish Celtic League Player of the month for November.

PLANS that could see Musgrave Park turn into a 17,000 all-seater stadium are currently under discussion.

THE ATTENDANCE at yesterday’s final Irish World Cup press conference said it all about the hugely favourable impression the management and players have made on the media.

ASK Ireland’s Brian O’Driscoll for an insight into France’s outside-centre Tony Marsh, and the initial response may leave you a trifle underwhelmed.

Ulster 37 Gwent Dragons 18

Fly-half Gareth Bowen scored all the points as Llanelli Scarlets became the first team to beat Munster in a non-domestic competitive match at Thomond Park, Limerick tonight.

Ulster centre Jonathan Bell has been forced to withdraw from Ireland’s warm weather training camp in Bilbao this week.

MUNSTER coach Alan Gaffney will have a full panel, apart from long-term injury personnel, to select from as he ponders the team to open this season’s Heineken Cup campaign against Gloucester on Saturday evening.

Manchester United legend Lou Macari branded disgraced skipper Roy Keane “foolish” for getting involved in the fracas which led to his latest red card shame.

Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier is still chasing Irish World Cup star Damien Duff - if the price is right.

Irish World Cup star Gary Breen has joined West Ham on a free transfer today.