Ronan O'Gara: The only two World Cup certainties left - pressure and injuries

Death and taxes they say. But as the Rugby World Cup moves towards its knockout phase, there are other certainties for every nation still standing

NEW BASE: Head Coach Andy Farrell and Jonathan Sexton face the press on Thursday. Picture: INPHO/Dan Sheridan

PERHAPS it’s the continuing absence of Antoine Dupont that is giving France the collywobbles, but in the way that Ireland fans feel nervous about what Scotland could produce on Saturday night, the natives here are edgy about Friday’s meeting with Italy in Lyon.

The same permutation that applies to Ireland applies here: If Italy were to beat France and deny the hosts a bonus point, Les Bleus are bust. Unlikely, but it’s the first moment the French have encountered the whiff of a knockout fixture in this tournament, and they like the security of Dupont at the joystick.