Gallery: Ireland depart for France and a World Cup campaign of great promise

Andy Farrell’s squad will set up base at a five-star hotel to the north of the Loire

Thu, 31 Aug, 2023 - 14:10

Cian Locke

The Irish rugby team departed from Dublin today for their base in Tours. The town of 130,000 people in in north-central France, just south of Paris, will host Ireland for the duration of their Pool campaign in France.

Andy Farrell’s squad will set up base at a five-star hotel to the north of the Loire while training daily at nearby Stade Chambrerie, a newly opened government-funded, rugby-specific facility.

The team left Dublin airport today carried by official IRFU airline Aer Lingus, with tens of thousands of Irish supporters expected to follow over the coming weeks.

ALL ABOARD: Pictured is the Ireland Rugby team departing for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, alongside Aer Lingus pilots, cabin crew and staff. The Irish Rugby team depart from Dublin Airport for the Rugby World Cup with Aer Lingus, the Official Airline of the IRFU. Aer Lingus is proud to fly the Irish Rugby team and the tens of thousands of travelling supporters to France, bringing Home Advantage to the Rugby World Cup. Irish Rugby fans who still wish to book can visit http://www.aerlingus.com.

Dan Sheehan completes check-in at Dublin Airport.

Conor Murray captured the departure on film.

In safe hands - former St. Mary’s College students, Johnny Sexton with Aer Lingus Captain Caolan Flanagan

Aer Lingus Ambassadors, Johnny Sexton, Tadhg Furlong, Robbie Henshaw and Josh van der Flier with Aer Lingus Captains Caolan Flanagan and Ruairi Farrell