Kieran Shannon: Ireland have come up short at World Cups - can they rewrite history? 

In short South Africa tend to deliver at World Cups – to the extent they’ve delivered the Webb Ellis itself three times – and Ireland don’t.

RE-WRITE HISTORY: South Africa are known for delivering at the RWC where Ireland have fallen short - can they re-write history this year? Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

During the build-up to Joe Schmidt’s first test against South Africa as Ireland coach, one of the quirky ways of his predecessor sprang to Paul O’Connell’s mind.

Declan Kidney would sometimes show players clips from The Lion King as he felt it contained some wise messages and one that particularly resonated with O’Connell was before Munster played Toulouse away.