Andy Farrell believes he will be leading Ireland into a new era with a squad for the upcoming Guinness Six Nations he believes has got the lot.

The official changing of the guard from Joe Schmidt to Andy Farrell took place in Abbotstown on the Sunday before Christmas.

Andy Farrell has plenty of challenges ahead of him as he embarks on his tenure as Ireland head coach but dealing with the criticism that is bound to come his way sooner or later is not one of them.

Ireland have been knocked out of the World Cup at the quarter-final stage for the seventh time in nine tournaments.

They may be trying to end each other’s World Cups tomorrow but both Steve Hansen and Joe Schmidt have revealed the camaraderie that exists between the New Zealand and Ireland coaching staffs ahead of their quarter-final at Tokyo Stadium.

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.

Herring has won eight caps for Ireland and was part of Joe Schmidt's training squad ahead of the tournament.

A lot about the dynamic between Ireland and the All Blacks has changed since the Dublin heartbreak of 2013, and Joe Schmidt has been at the centre of that shift to a more even footing.

Cian Healy has praised Bundee Aki’s resilience in the face of a tournament-ending suspension after the centre gave his all in Ireland’s first training session for Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand.

While it is 16 years since Simon Easterby went toe to toe with Samoa, Ireland’s forwards coach knows the threats they will bring this Saturday are familiar weapons in the armoury of the Pacific Islanders.

Backs against the wall and needing a bonus-point win over Samoa to stay in this World Cup, Ireland have been urged to back their skills and go after the Pacific Islanders here on Saturday.

Ireland are carrying on regardless as they wait for guidance from World Rugby on whether Typhoon Hagibis will affect their final pool game against Samoa on Saturday in Fukuoka.

Garry Ringrose could be pressed into a third successive World Cup start this Thursday after Ireland’s midfield stocks were reduced by a concussion for Chris Farrell.

Joey Carbery’s decision to kick the ball dead and end the game when a draw with Japan was still possible has been defended by Joe Schmidt and assistant coach Simon Easterby.

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.

England in Dublin last February was a “mental failure”.

Ireland are confident their seven-day warm-weather training camp in Portugal will stand them in good stead for the heat and humidity they can expect during their World Cup campaign in Japan next month.

Word was that Jean Kleyn kept his eyes open and his mouth mostly shut during his early days in Joe Schmidt’s World Cup warm-up camp.

Ireland will not be losing sleep over Steve Hansen’s suggestion they are struggling with the pressure of being “top dog” since beating his All Blacks side last November, their coach Simon Easterby said.

Ireland will be without Joey Carbery and Robbie Henshaw for Sunday’s Guinness Six Nations home game with France but team management has insisted the dropped Sean Cronin still has a Test future despite his omission.

Andy Farrell is fully prepared for the life-changing demands of being Ireland head coach when he takes over from Joe Schmidt after this year's World Cup in Japan.

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.

“I don’t think there’s another Joe out there,” says Ronan O’Gara, when guided toward the topic of life after Joe Schmidt.

Ireland are hopeful that Rob Kearney will overcome the shoulder injury he suffered at the weekend in time for November’s Guinness Series of Test matches.

Whatever about the short-term objectives of winning a Test series in Australia, Saturday’s decider offers Ireland an excellent dry run for a potential World Cup quarter-final in Japan next year.

The IRFU has promised to do everything in its power to extend Joe Schmidt’s tenure as Ireland head coach beyond next year’s World Cup.

Joe Schmidt deservedly received the plaudits for guiding Ireland to a Grand Slam on Saturday. But the New Zealander was quick to credit the efforts of his backroom team in the unforgettable spring campaign. Rory Keane reports.

No Irish mis-steps as the Six Nations moves towards its final stages and certainly not a thought wandering to potential glory days ahead.

If Ireland’s players required a warning against complacency ahead of this Saturday’s NatWest 6 Nations opener in Paris, then forwards coach Simon Easterby is happy to provide a reminder of the dire consequences that greeted such thoughts on this weekend a year ago.

Ireland won't fear any repeat of the cheap shots shipped in the Stade de France two years ago when they return to the French capital for the first time since for this year’s Six Nations opener.

Ireland’s back row for Saturday’s Guinness Series opener against South Africa appears to be cut and dried after forwards coach Simon Easterby revealed Tommy O’Donnell, Dan Leavy, and Jack Conan had all missed some training this week.

Former Ireland international Donncha O’Callaghan says he is looking to earn the respect of the opposition when he steps out opposite Connacht at the Sportsground tomorrow.

Former Irish lock Donncha O’Callaghan said that getting through his 20th preseason campaign as a professional was made all worthwhile when he was this week named as captain of Worcester Warriors for the season.

There were a few mobile phones on full charge over in New Jersey last weekend, but to my mind the one who is closer than them all to Lions form is Keith Earls, writes Ronan O’Gara. 

The Irish squad have set up base in New Jersey with eight players hoping to make their international debuts and a few others on red alert for a call from New Zealand and elevation to the Lions squad.

Ireland have settled in to their team base in New Jersey ahead of Saturday’s clash with the USA when Joe Schmidt’s men will aim to extend their eight-match winning sequence against the Eagles.

Ireland insist Andy Farrell is too “professional” to let preparing a team to nullify his son Owen cloud his coaching for today’s RBS 6 Nations clash with England.

Ireland put their Six Nations credentials under the microscope tonight knowing that for all the familiarity of their Welsh foes, the challenge they face will be far from predictable.

Niall Scannell’s readiness for Test rugby got the Ireland management’s seal of approval last night as the uncapped Munster hooker prepared to stand in for sick captain Rory Best against Italy this afternoon.