Ireland’s tenacity versus New Zealand’s ruthlessness.

Ollie Campbell put his arm around the shoulders of Michael Lynagh’s youngest son, and pointed at the shiny Aviva Stadium in the near distance.

This time four years ago, Keith Earls was not handling the pressure of a World Cup at all well.

Whether or not Japan, the Brave Blossoms, continue to defy the odds, in this Sunday’s World Cup quarter-final, the success of Jamie Joseph’s side, on home soil, should open doors at world rugby’s top table.

And that includes World Rugby, the sport’s governing body, which has been stunned by the huge numbers being racked up in terms of television viewers and social media engagements as well as the good old-fashioned barometer of jersey sales.

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.

There was a time when Johnny Sexton’s schoolboy half-back partner in Japan was Vinny Hammond.

Whether you are beating the All Blacks five tries to four or grinding it out in a tight arm-wrestle, Johnny Sexton knows the common thread to Ireland’s recent successes against the best team in the world was to never switch off.

Like it or not, last weekend’s typhoon-related cancellations in the final round of World Cup pool games have given us some inequitable quarter-final match-ups in terms of preparation times for the protagonists.

Like it or not, last weekend’s typhoon-related cancellations in the final round of World Cup pool games have given us some inequitable quarter-final match-ups in terms of preparation times for the protagonists.

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.

Simon Lewis provides an on-the-whistle report of the main talking points from Ireland's win over Samoa.

Eddie Jones believes England face a test of their “manlihood” when they attempt to guarantee passage into the World Cup quarter-finals by defeating Argentina.

France run out 23-21 winners over spirited Argentina side

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.

Ireland’s 2023 World Cup bid committee has come out punching in support of Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s assertion that their challenge to host the tournament is still very much alive.

MADONNA, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Razorlight are among the acts taking to the stage for a star-studded concert at Wembley Stadium to highlight the threat of climate change, it was announced yesterday.

Madonna, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Razorlight are among the acts taking to the stage for a star-studded concert at the new Wembley Stadium to highlight the threat of climate change, it was announced today.