Kidney: Ireland will rise again

A 22-10 defeat to Wales at the Wellington Regional Stadium on Saturday brought an end to what was the last World Cup for many of the so-called ‘golden age’ of Irish rugby but coach Declan Kidney isn’t prepared to dwell on the disappointment.

Given the poor run of form Ireland endured going into the World Cup, the quarter-final stage seemed a realistic exit point, especially as Ireland were expected to come second in their group and meet South Africa in the first knockout game.