Andy Farrell closes World Cup chapter, insists new green wave will bounce back

'These guys kept believing in themselves and rightly so because of the rugby that they're able to play under pressure. I'm immensely proud of absolutely everyone that's connected with Irish rugby'

STILL PROUD: Ireland Head Coach Andy Farrell

Andy Farrell admitted Ireland’s World Cup quarter-final defeat had brought the end of an era for Irish rugby but he was pleased it ended with a bang and not a whimper.

The Ireland boss toasted captain Johnny Sexton, for whom this 28-24 defeat to New Zealand at Stade de France on Saturday night brought down the curtain on a glittering career for the 38-year-old fly-half, and also fellow veteran Keith Earls, whose retirement, at least from international rugby, he also revealed.