'It won't faze the lads' - Ireland skills coach happy with team's form ahead of opener

Neither Rob Kearney’s possible absence from the back three nor the forecast for heavy rain in Yokohama will knock Richie Murphy’s confidence that Ireland’s handling skills can cope with every situation in their World Cup opener against Scotland on Sunday.

Ireland kick off their Pool A campaign this weekend with centre Robbie Henshaw already ruled out through a hamstring injury and question marks over the fitness of both full-back Kearney (calf) and wing Earls (knee).