Donal Lenihan: Few furrowed brows in South Africa or France

The most concerning aspect takeaway from Friday night’s humbling of the All Blacks was the simultaneous introduction of seven fresh Springbok forwards.

IN FOCUS: South Africa’s Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus arrives at Twickenham last weekend. Picture: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

With the phony war surrounding those fraught World Cup warm-up games thankfully put to bed, confirmation of the 33 players selected to lead Ireland into the Rugby World Cup has brought this elongated preparation phase to a welcome conclusion.

Sadly it finished on a negative with an outstanding servant of Irish rugby in Cian Healy missing out on selection due to a calf injury. His loss aside, it helps confidence that Ireland have arrived at this point without defeat or controversy.