How a Rugby World Cup dream can literally go down the toilet

They’ve worked for years for this moment, representing Ireland at the World Cup -then two days before a game they get a bad bout of diarrhoea, lose 3kg and can’t play. Irish team physician, Dr Eanna Falvey on the ‘you are what you eat’ philosophy of modern-day rugby.

When Ireland take the field at the Rugby World Cup next weekend you expect all the bases to be covered. Tactics and the opponents’ weaknesses. Strength and conditioning. Gear and accommodation. Everything’s got to be right, tuned to perfect pitch, to ensure the trained-to-the-inch, super-healthy athletes can realise their potential.

Dr Eanna Falvey, the team physician to the Irish Rugby squad, agrees about the health of the players. Up to a point.