Munster won the URC without his input at the back end of last season but he sees himself as a player who trades on skill and intelligence rather than speed and strength and one ambition holds a particular allure.

Over 600 men, women and children gathered at Turner's Cross to watch the Girls in Green, despite the rain.

There is always a desire in Ireland to be transported back to the mythical days of innocence that were Italia '90.

'This is our first tournament and Canada has the experience that we lack,' Pauw noted.

The loss — following up a similar slender defeat to co-hosts Australia — officially puts them out of contention for the necessary top-two spot

The Ireland captain was booked at the final whistle for complaining to the referee

"When I say ripping it up he’s been on fire. He got a bit of a rocket last year and his mindset is changed."

"When he’s feeling confident and the players around him feel good he’s one of the best. He can be world-class on this day.”

The Ireland captain won player of the match and created history as the team’s first-ever tournament scorer but cut a frustrated figure at full-time in Perth, clashing with Argentinian referee Laura Fortunato walking off the pitch.

Canada went behind to a stunning goal directly from a corner in the fourth minute, but rallied to equalise on the stroke of halftime before completing the turnaround early in the second half.

The Irish captain was at the forefront of Ireland’s best attacking moves while defending resolutely.

A fanbase drowned by rain and a team immersed in tears will characterise the pictures of Ireland’s premature World Cup exit

History was made when the captain took just three minutes and 38 seconds to fire the Girls in Green ahead – directly from a corner – with their first-ever tournament goal.

'It’s great to see the ladies play on a big screen like this too — and not just the boys'

A minute in, the first Olés could be heard from the Irish crowd in Perth. It wasn’t long before Kyra Carusa went so close, forcing a corner from the Canadian keeper to give us our first heart-stopping moment.

Scotland coach Gregor Townsend has named Healy - a United Rugby Championship winner with Munster last term - to start at out-half for the pre-World Cup clash with Italy this Saturday.

Ireland manager Vera Pauw has made two changes to the side which lost to Australia in the opening group game for Wednesday's clash with Canada

Spain and Japan are the first teams to clinch berths in the tournament’s round of 16. They will play on Monday in Wellington to decide seeding

Why are clubs taking extreme chances with players they hope will somehow reverse the very long odds and consistent downward data patterns which have overshadowed their careers?

Renard, 33, strained her calf in France’s 0-0 draw with Jamaica in Sydney on Sunday, although she completed the full 90 minutes.