Ireland to face Namibia in World Cup opener

IRELAND will open their World Cup campaign against Namibia in Bordeaux after the Africans qualified for Pool D with a comprehensive victory over Morocco.

Namibia, already 27-5 up from the first leg, pressed home their advantage last night to beat the 14-man Moroccans 27-8 in Casablanca.

Namibia’s prize is a place in the toughest group of the World Cup alongside Ireland, France, Argentina and either Georgia or Portugal.

Georgia are favourites to complete the group after a 17-3 first-leg victory over Portugal. The return game is in Lisbon on November 25.

Meanwhile, Leinster wing Denis Hickie has been called into the Ireland squad as precautionary cover for Andrew Trimble, who has a tight hamstring following yesterday’s game against South Africa.

Denis Hickie’s place on the wing in the Ireland A team to play Australia in Thomond Park on Wednesday, will be taken by Robert Kearney. Gavin Duffy will take Kearney’s place on the Ireland A bench.