There’s no instruction manual for managing these World Cup disappointments. In the early noughties, Spain went through a succession of big football tournament failures before finally winning the European championships in 2008.

Fears of disruption to the World Cup by a typhoon heading for Japan this week have been reduced after tournament organisers confirmed Wednesday’s France versus USA match would go ahead as scheduled.

Japan's forwards had been spiky all day.

Joe Schmidt has always cried foul against the accusation that Ireland are dull in attack.

One week on from Tokyo Stadium hosting the Rugby World Cup opening ceremony and we’ve hit the first rest day, at least as far as rugby fans have been concerned.

Irish Examiner rugby writers Brendan O'Brien and Simon Lewis look ahead to Ireland's World Cup meeting with Japan, along with local journalist Rich Freeman.

Anyone who’s paid attention to Scottish rugby over the last 12 months will have noticed a propensity for big talk before games, usually followed by a backward retreat after the inevitable let down.

Jacques Nienaber has singled out Ireland's defence as a trump card ahead of a potential World Cup quarter-final meeting with South Africa.

Prop Yusuke Kizu alleged Cian Healy “steps out” and illegally angles in at scrummages.

Joe Schmidt admitted Johnny Sexton was not happy about his omission from the Ireland squad to face World Cup hosts Japan on Saturday as he backed Jack Carty as a starting number 10.

No better man than Rassie Erasmus to kill you with kindness.

Chris Farrell believes his World Cup debut for Ireland last weekend vindicated his decision to quit Ulster early in his career.

Japan wing Lomano Lemeki has predicted a home upset when the Brave Blossoms meet Ireland on Saturday - because Johnny Sexton is not fully fit.

Japan have revealed the Backstreet Boys’ biggest hit as the soundtrack to their World Cup campaign.

All going as predicted, Johann van Graan may be dealing with dual loyalties if Ireland and South Africa clash in the quarter-final of the Rugby World Cup in Yokohama on Sunday, October 20.

Fiji coach John McKee has lashed out at Australian counterpart Michael Cheika, suggesting the Wallaby has a different idea of the "spirit of the game" amid a row over Reece Hodge's alleged high tackle last Saturday.

Samoa have secured a bonus-point 34-9 victory over Japan in Ireland's Pool A.

There can be few more satisfying experiences for a replacement than coming off the bench and making an immediate impact and Ireland’s Dave Kilcoyne did just that last Sunday as he played his part in the hammering of the Scottish pack.

Global camera giant Canon has amazed rugby followers on Twitter with a 3D replay of one of the tries from the Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Johnny Sexton did not train fully today but Ireland still expect him to face Japan on Saturday in Shizuoka.

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One of the many things to savour about a high-octane tournament like the World Cup is embedding yourself in the post-match scenarios of several countries. Imagining the training vibe.

Irish Examiner rugby writers Brendan O'Brien and Simon Lewis review the opening weekend of World Cup action with shellshocked Scottish writer David Barnes.

Uwe Helu spoke in sentences so short that you suspected he was being charged by the word.

Peter O’Mahony and Bundee Aki are “on track” to be fit to face Japan in Ireland’s second World Cup match.

The All Blacks, it seems, are not quite as vulnerable as everybody at this World Cup had hoped.

Gregor Townsend confessed it "doesn't look good" for Hamish Watson after admitting the Scotland flanker's World Cup might be over already.

Jacob Stockdale says he was spurred on by criticisms of his defensive abilities ahead of Ireland’s opening World Cup encounter with Scotland here in Japan.

Peter O’Mahony and Bundee Aki face a race against the clock to prove their fitness for Ireland’s meeting with World Cup hosts Japan this Saturday following failed Head Injury Assessments in the win over Scotland.

There was a point on Saturday night in Yokohama when Kieran Read gathered his troops about him and told everyone to just take five.

Social media scrum as Ireland kick off their Rugby World Cup campaign

Ireland record comfortable 27-3 opening win in their World Cup campaign.

Beauden Barrett feels a new generation of All Blacks are ready to take on the world after their impressive Pool B defeat of South Africa on Saturday.

New Zealand did enough in a first-half blitz to take advantage in Pool B.

As befits a keen mechanic who was brought up to know his way around souping up classic vehicles, New Zealand’s Brodie Retallick is the All Black who provides the main engine, the horsepower, and the oil for this 2019 juggernaut

Australia found salvation in their driving line-out as they survived a scare to dispatch Fiji 39-21 in their World Cup opener at the Sapporo Dome.

The prolific Ulster try-scorer is hungry for more success at the World Cup.

New Zealand begin their Rugby World Cup game tomorrow morning in a crunch tie against South Africa.

This Rugby World Cup squad could have a major influence on the tournament — hopefully for the better.

Twenty-one caps into his international career, Jacob Stockdale takes his try-scoring talents onto the world stage for the first time

It was a Russian who kicked off Rugby World Cup 2019, another who scored the tournament’s first try but the last laugh most certainly belonged to Japan as the hosts eventually got off to a flying start.

Brendan O'Brien and Simon Lewis look ahead to tomorrow's big pool B meeting of New Zealand and South Africa

Simon Lewis and Brendan O'Brien discuss Joe Schmidt's team selection for Sunday's game against Scotland

Stay on top of all the results and group stage standings.