What if this is as good as it gets for Ireland at the Rugby World Cup?

The debate: World Cup history is full of warnings for Andy Farrell and his players, says Mick Cleary. | No chance, says Brendan O'Brien, these lads are the real deal

PEAKED TOO EARLY?: Ireland's Jonathan Sexton (centre) and team-mates celebrate after the final whistle in the Rugby World Cup 2023, Pool B match at the Stade de France in Paris. Pic: PA

Mick Cleary: It is so hard to sustain peak performance

Even though rugby talk is not exactly banned round the extended Farrell breakfast table, you can only imagine that England’s horrible failure to back up their semi-final victory over the All Blacks four years ago with a decent showing seven days later against the Springboks would have most certainly come to the attention of Farrell Snr even if such a topic of conversation would be acutely painful to son, Owen.