Size isn't everything. Even for the Springboks.

It might not have been the route they envisaged but Ireland have reached their initial destination, although the question remains whether this is finally the time to venture into virgin territory.

Tadhg Furlong has warned that to switch off even for a second against New Zealand will cost Ireland the chance of a maiden World Cup semi-final.

Ireland booked their place in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals with a comprehensive victory over Samoa.

Scotland have urged World Cup bosses to see sense and push their win-or-bust showdown with Japan out of Typhoon Hagibis’ path of destruction.

Andy Farrell would have happily sacrificed a heavier deficit in the points difference column in exchange for a victory over Japan but if Ireland can return to form this Saturday it will have meant the lessons of that shock defeat have been learned.

It is not just sumo that occupies the hearts and minds of Japanese sports fans, as this year’s Rugby World Cup is proving on a rapidly increasing basis.

‘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.

Your round-up of the stories behind the headlines from Day 14 of #RWC2019

Johnny Sexton will return to the Ireland starting line-up on Thursday as Joe Schmidt’s team bids to reignite their World Cup Pool A campaign against Russia with a much-changed XV.

Leo Cullen says Ireland’s shock World Cup loss to Japan will only damage them if the players allow it to do so.

Peter Jackson gets over the gain line, behind the headline

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.

Shock in Shizuoka as Japan claim vital win against Ireland

Simon Lewis reports from Shizuoka

Ireland suffered one of the biggest upsets in Rugby World Cup history as Japan repeated their Brighton miracle against South Africa on home soil to leave Joe Schmidt’s men stunned at Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa.

The Japanese camp is nothing if not forthright. While attack coach Tony Brown yesterday warned Ireland there is more to his side’s game than just speed, wing Lomano Lemeki was openly talking about targeting Johnny Sexton’s quad muscle.

As Japan prepares to get Asia’s first Rugby World Cup underway at the Tokyo Stadium tonight (11.45am Irish time), it would be all too easy to forget their opponents as the planet turns its gaze towards the Brave Blossoms.

Jacob Stockdale can’t wait to get back to Japan next month with a trip to Twickenham to face England this Saturday underlining just how close the Ireland wing is to a World Cup debut.

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.

Jack O’Donoghue’s worst nightmares of last season’s semi-final defeat to Saracens were revisited on Sunday in Bordeaux but the Munster back-rower is determined to quickly move on from the latest European setback ahead of the Guinness PRO14 play-offs.

Joe Schmidt was under no illusions as he surveyed the fast-approaching 2018 Six Nations Championship.

Ireland 28 Argentina 19: Another Guinness Series in the books, a handful of new Ireland caps and three satisfying if not perfect victories for Joe Schmidt to ponder before he gets his players back to build for the 2018 Six Nations.

Ireland take one more step along the road in Dublin this evening when their credentials as one of the world’s top four teams are tested by old rivals South Africa.

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt was relieved to see his side clinch a hard-fought 35-13 victory over Japan at Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo.

Joe Schmidt is today set to unveil his Ireland squad for next month’s Tests in the United States and Japan.

There may be a full round of pool games to go over the course of the next seven days but already five teams, including Ireland, have booked a safe passage to the knockout phase of the Rugby World Cup.

Scotland 45 Japan 10: The neutrals may have left Kingsholm disappointed not to have witnessed another monumental Rugby World Cup upset, but Scotland will not care one jot after this bonus-point success kicked their Pool B campaign off in the perfect fashion.

Japan 23 Wales 8