Irish have capacity to triumph in adversity

Before looking forward to a quartet of mouthwatering World Cup knockout clashes next weekend, I have to indulge myself again on Ireland’s character- filled pool win over France last Sunday.

There are days when sport supersedes everything else, when the trials and tribulations of everyday life can legitimately be cast to one side for a moment in order to savour epic confrontations, such as we were treated to last weekend.

Laying aside the inherent difficulties associated with the Welsh capital on occasions such as this, and I have documented those on numerous occasions over the years, there is no better rugby arena in the world than the Millennium Stadium, with the roof closed and a capacity audience.