This time last year, David Pocock was working on a farm in his native Zimbabwe, taking a break from rugby and relying on his cousin to text him with Wallabies updates.

This group of Irish players has made a habit of rewriting history over the course of the last few seasons, whether it has been beating New Zealand for the first time or recording a rare Grand Slam as they did in Twickenham back in March.

All good things come to an end and for Rob Kearney, losing for the first time in 15 months and 13 Tests may be no bad thing for a core of this Ireland squad so accustomed to winning.

Joe Schmidt was left to rue “skinny” margins as his Ireland side experienced defeat for the first time in 15 months.

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.

The ACT Brumbies have defied Australia coach Michael Cheika by naming David Pocock, Scott Sio and Allan Alaalatoa in their team for tomorrow’s Super Rugby match against the Sunwolves.

“It’s not going to be an issue, because it’s not going to be ongoing. You can interpret it how you like.”

Eddie Jones was the one Australian everyone wanted to hear from after Ireland dispensed with his England side so seamlessly at Twickenham last week, but it would have been interesting to mine the thoughts of his compatriot Michael Cheika, who was among the 82,062 souls looking on from the stands, writes Brendan O’Brien.

A postcard allegedly sent by a murdered woman shortly after she disappeared more than 20 years ago is a fake, according to police in England.

With three wins, including a first over New Zealand, November has been a hugely encouraging month for Joe Schmidt and Irish rugby in general. So what were the major discussion points?

World Rugby’s head of referees Alain Rolland can expect a busy inbox this morning when he logs on for work after another weekend of concerns about the standards of Test officiating.

Leigh Halfpenny will make his eagerly-awaited Test match return tomorrow when Wales host opening autumn opponents Australia.

Be warned, it's not for the faint-hearted.

Australia number eight David Pocock has invited “legend” David Attenborough to Saturday’s World Cup final against New Zealand at Twickenham.

The odds are stacked against Australia as they head into Saturday’s Rugby World Cup final with arch rivals New Zealand, but coach Michael Cheika is refusing to contemplate defeat.

Australia yesterday lost Michael Hooper, one of their two star opensides, for Saturday’s Pool A encounter with Wales in London, but blindside flanker Scott Fardy doesn’t give the impression of a guy who will lose sleep over the news.

Ronan O’Gara analyses all the big issues at the Rugby World Cup.

Rugby World Cup Pool A

David Pocock believes Australian rugby looks past size when it comes to back-row forwards thanks to pioneers Phil Waugh and George Smith.

Ben Morgan insists England must summon Australia’s demons by using their pack to reopen old wounds at Twickenham.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today.

Scrum-half Will Genia will make his first Test start for two months when Australia open their World Cup campaign against Fiji in Cardiff on Wednesday.

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has declared there can be no excuses for his side in this morning’s Rugby Championship decider against Australia and warns they’re in for a tough game if they don’t improve.

Former Australia captain David Pocock has been issued with a formal written warning by the Australian Rugby Union after he was arrested yesterday.

Bumblebees seem to prefer the buzz of the city to the countryside, a large-scale “citizen’s science” study has found.

Twelve years ago George Smith was gearing up for the Wallabies’ crunch third Test with Graham Henry’s Lions outfit in Sydney’s magnificent Olympic Stadium.

Sam Warburton is ready to lead the Lions into battle in Brisbane tomorrow after overcoming a month of intense competition in the backrow, not to mention a difficult season in the red of Wales.

Australia flanker David Pocock will miss the upcoming Test series against the British and Irish Lions after rupturing an anterior cruciate ligament while playing for the Brumbies yesterday.

I regret to inform you that the press box is not a font of wit and rapartee.

Australia captain David Pocock suffered a serious knee injury during yesterday’s 27-19 defeat by the All Blacks, the Wallabies have announced on their official website.

Scotland captain Ross Ford had no hesitation in handing the ball to match-winner Greig Laidlaw before he kicked the last-gasp penalty to secure a memorable 9-6 win over Australia in Newcastle yesterday.

Conditions may be freezing in Paris but the Stade de France still represents a cauldron for Declan Kidney and his team, one which they rarely enjoy visiting.

To dwell too long over the legitimacy or otherwise of the penalty awarded against Stephen Ferris in the last play of Ireland’s Six Nations defeat to Wales on Sunday is to miss the point.

IRELAND, England, Wales and Scotland’s players have been snubbed by the IRB for the Player of the Year award.

AFTER 46 games and a weekend of semi-final action characterised by controversy, drama, incident and passion, the 2011 version of the World Cup has produced a carbon copy of what transpired here at the inaugural event 24 years ago — a final contested by New Zealand and France with Australia and Wales battling for the bronze medal.