Brendan O'Brien: Global issues take a back seat as Andy Farrell's Ireland brace for familiar foe

But imagine, in the context of what we saw late last year in Japan, had Ireland gone and won those hosting rights.

Imagine for a moment that it is November 15, 2017 again only the day diverts down a different path. Rugby’s movers and shakers are wedged into a conference room in the Royal Garden Hotel in South Kensington when Bill Beaumont, like some luvvie actor on stage at the Oscars, unfolds his piece of paper and the word ‘IRELAND’ is uttered.

Philip Browne dispenses with decades of reserve by embracing Dick Spring in a bear hug, Philip Orr has Brian O’Driscoll in a joyous head lock and Shane Ross is fumbling in his pocket for his phone, his mind already working overtime on the composition of the Twitter message and selfie that will place him front and centre on this auspicious day.