Try explaining to security that a new knee and a pair of replacement hips are reason for alarms

Long tours can be challenging, especially when things don’t go to plan on the field of play. That’s why so many of the large Irish support base that headed to Japan are feeling a little underwhelmed at the moment.

For them the last week has been tough. Week six tends to be that way at the best of times but, with Ireland having taken their leave from the World Cup, the buzz and expectation levels simply aren’t there anymore.