'Down day' Down Under for Irish Team

Today’s designated "down day" for the Ireland squad began with a work-out, with forwards coach Niall O’Donovan bringing his troops to the Melbourne Girls College where the basketball arena imitated the conditions in which Ireland will play France in Sunday’s quarter-final at the Telstra Stadium.

A key feature of Ireland’s success so far has been at the line-out, where O’ Donovan’s astute coaching has resulted in Paul O’Connell, Malcolm O’Kelly and co defeating their opposites and giving Ireland a critical edge.