IRELAND forwards coach Gert Smal has issued a “Stop Pocock” order to his pack as he bids to clean up a problematic breakdown and counter Australia’s back-row menace.

Keith Earls has travelled to New Zealand with the ambition of becoming a "superstar" of the World Cup.

Ireland may have made a faltering start to the World Cup but manager Paul McNaughton insists they still have the capacity to stun Australia.

MAYBE this is the way that all opening games go for Ireland but it does not make them any easier to swallow.

Ireland flanker Stephen Ferris claims today’s 22-10 victory over the United States is good preparation for the pivotal World Cup clash with Australia.

US Eagles coach Eddie O’Sullivan has said he was proud of his teams’ efforts despite going down 22-10 to an out-of-sorts Ireland at Stadium Taranaki in their Pool C World Cup game this morning.

Brian O'Driscoll admitted Ireland would have to improve considerably after they edged to a 22-10 win over the United States in their opening game of the Rugby World Cup in New Plymouth this morning.

Ireland 22 USA 10

Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll is convinced Conor Murray has the temperament to make a success of his full Test debut.

IT was that hapless England soccer manager Graham Taylor who, on the eve of the 1992 European Championships, urged his country’s armchair supporters to “put your feet up and enjoy the football”.

USA coach Eddie O’Sullivan appears to have hammered home the message that emotions must not ground his Eagles when they take on Ireland on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

THERE will be no greater inspiration for the United States Eagles against Ireland in New Plymouth tomorrow than a couple of fellow players who never made it home on September 11, 2001.

Eddie O’Sullivan is adopting a hard-headed approach to plotting the downfall of the team he led with distinction when the United States meet Ireland on Sunday.

Jonathan Sexton wants Ireland’s young guns to take the lead at the World Cup, claiming they are unburdened by any painful memories from 2007.

Munster's Conor Murray has been charged with the scrum-half duties for Ireland in their World Cup Pool C opener against the USA on Sunday.

DECLAN KIDNEY has entrusted Conor Murray with steering Ireland to an opening World Cup win after giving the Munster scrum-half his first international start in Sunday’s Pool C clash with the United States.

IRELAND will join their American opponents on Sunday to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks before both sides aim to get their Rugby World Cup campaigns off to a winning start at Stadium Taranaki.

FITNESS doubt Sean O’Brien declared himself ready to play in Ireland’s World Cup opening fixture this Sunday against the USA.

IRELAND’S team for their opening Rugby World Cup Pool C encounter against the United States on Sunday appears to be taking shape with fitness concerns determining selections in a number of key positions.

Donncha O’Callaghan believes Eddie O’Sullivan’s inside knowledge of Ireland will make Sunday’s World Cup opener against the United States fraught with danger.