IRELAND get back on the bike tomorrow against Russia (6am) and need to keep pedalling as furiously as they did at Eden Park last weekend if they are to make the most of that famous victory over Australia.

DO NOT tell Sean Cronin this weekend’s World Cup pool game against Russia doesn’t matter.

THERE was a nasty undertone to Ireland’s victory over the Wallabies last Saturday, if reports in the Antipodean media are to be believed.

PLAYING old rivals France in a World Cup clash at Eden Park is the perfect scenario to become the first All Black to win 100 caps, New Zealand captain Richie McCaw said last night.

Yes, says Michael Moynihan

CHELSEA manager Andre Villas-Boas yesterday hit out at the pundits who branded his team “naive and stupid” in their Premier League defeat at Manchester United.

“CAUSE in your mind it’s lyin’ season,” funkster Alexander O’Neal once insisted, by way of alleging that his baby was, to his mind at least, a fake.

WORLD CUP semi-finalists France showed their class at Turner’s Cross last night as three second half goals saw them claim all three points against a gallant Irish side in their UEFA Euro 2013 Women’s Group 4 qualifier.

IRELAND coach Declan Kidney last night made nine changes to the team which started the famous World Cup victory against Australia for this Sunday’s Pool C clash with minnows Russia.

SO far it’s been all cuddles at the Castle – this morning the Solheim Cup becomes more like the Ryder Cup’s famous War on the Shore.

MARTIN JOHNSON insists England’s preparations for tomorrow’s clash with Romania will not be thrown off course by the arrival in Dunedin of Zara Phillips.

IRELAND fly-half Jonny Sexton has been backed to rediscover his place-kicking form after a disappointing start with the boot to his World Cup.

WITH Cork City chasing promotion and an EA Sports Cup final taking place at the venue on Saturday, the big games just keep on coming at Turner’s Cross.

RONAN O’GARA has called for the focus to return to the Ireland squad after insisting he has no intention of retiring from Test rugby after the World Cup.

ARGENTINA coach Santiago Phelan has been forced to juggle his back division for the World Cup clash with Romania in Invercargill on Saturday.

ENGLAND prop Andrew Sheridan has been ruled out of the Rugby World Cup with a shoulder injury, the RFU announced last night.

RUSSIA make their World Cup debut against the US tomorrow knowing they must capitalise on their moment in the spotlight.

WHEN The Pogues sang “I’m a man you don’t meet every day”, they could have been referring to the acclaimed “Irish” Maori leader, Tipene O’Regan.

PUBLICANS in New Plymouth have confirmed a record-breaking night after Ireland’s opening Rugby World Cup game.

JONATHAN SEXTON’S wayward kicking display against the USA last Sunday has been dismissed as a blip by the man who works on that aspect of his game on a weekly basis.