Ross: Beating Oz means nothing if we don’t top Pool

A REST by the shores of Lake Taupo after Saturday’s victory over Australia may have been well earned but while the squad took a day off, there was a determination not to waste the terrific opportunity that now stands before Declan Kidney’s side at this Rugby World Cup.

The Irish win at Eden Park over the tournament’s second favourites and Tri-Nations champions has turned the tournament on its head, opening up the more favourable side of the draw to Ireland.

No-one in the Irish camp will be allowed to consider the permutations, however, until the first order of business is taken care of and that means beating Russia this weekend in Rotorua and finishing off Pool C with a win over Italy in Dunedin on October 2.