Andy Farrell's side showed no mercy as they got up and running against Romania on Saturday.

There’s a certain irony that while once women’s soccer wouldn’t make the back page of a local paper, in fact, Pet’s Corner would have trumped it, these days it’s never out of the headlines.

Andy Farrell's men took care of business against Romania in the tournament opener on Saturday. 

The Deepest Breath will see you subconsciously holding your own breath.

In sweltering conditions, there was plenty for Ireland supporters to be enthused about on Saturday in Bordeaux.

Simon Easterby says the likes of Robbie Henshaw are expected to be available.

England didn’t come within a breeze of the Argentinian try line all night. They didn’t need to.

A Paralympian from Tipperary is preparing for the monumental challenge of running from the “top to toe” of Ireland to raise funds and spearhead the delivery of a sight loss support service for local communities.

Director of the Germany national team Rudi Voller was evasive when asked about his manager’s future.

Steve Borthwick's side were down to 14 men early on but made light of the fact against the Pumas.

Spalletti took over following the sudden resignation of Roberto Mancini last month.

They needed a win. Any win. A terrible beauty of an evening.

The Wallabies - with former England head coach Jones having taken over again in January - needed just a couple of minutes to get their first try when the ball was worked out wide to Jordan Petaia.

Ireland’s Pool B is well and truly up and running after a record-breaking 12-try rout in which the 38-year-old fly-half also chalked up a couple of his country’s World Cup records and edged closer to another significant milestone.

The Irish Examiner columnist gives his post-game analysis from a sweltering Bordeaux.

Stephen Kenny's side welcome the Dutch to Dublin on Sunday evening. 

Ronald Koeman has no qualms about branding Ireland inferior, speaking confidently about racking up back-to-back wins for the first time since his comeback.

Records toppled at Stade de Bordeaux despite brutally hot conditions with the thermometer topping 36C at kick-off, the 12-try rout was Ireland’s biggest victory and largest winning margin at a World Cup.

This race was an honest one, run at a strong gallop which offered no hiding place, and he came out on top under a beautifully judged ride by Ryan Moore.

The Ireland No 10 says there are bigger tests to come but is satisfied with the start of the campaign.