Taking a break can be half the battle in World Cup marathon

Ireland, England, Wales and France are all on their ‘down’ weeks right now and, while work will continue away from the bright lights, players, coaches and backroom staff have taken the opportunity to spirit themselves away and close the door for a bit on the World Cup.

DOWNTIME: Ireland's players had a three day downtime period to spend with family and friends after the South Africa clash. Pic: Harry Murphy/Sportsfile

For Namibia the game is over. This may be an elongated World Cup but Allister Coetzee’s men rattled through their four Pool A games in the space of 18 days. They will be the first of the 20 teams to take their leave of France.

Not until tomorrow, though. Their exit will be staggered: from a return to their idyllic Aix-les-Bains base camp in the east of the country yesterday, through a quick visit to Paris today and tonight, and then home via one of the capital’s airports.