Donal Lenihan: Ireland happy to be tipping away off-Broadway

In sweltering conditions, there was plenty for Ireland supporters to be enthused about on Saturday in Bordeaux.

THUMBS UP: Ireland head coach Andy Farrell at Stade de Bordeaux on Saturday. Picture: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

When Romanian scrum half Gabriel Rupanu ran down the wing for a sensational try within two minutes of the launch of Ireland’s potential journey to greatness at this Rugby World Cup, the demons of tournaments past came flooding back.

The failure to launch the 2007 World Cup campaign, down the road at the Stade Chaban Delmas, with a less-than-convincing performance against minnows Namibia set the tone for a campaign remembered for all the wrong reasons.