On-pitch action only half the joy of ‘being there’

It was mid-morning last Saturday and the press corps following the Republic of Ireland was arriving at Arka Gdynia’s stadium in dribs and drabs for duties ahead of the last Group C game, against Italy.

There had been determined talk of rising early a week before and making for the nearest Irish pub to watch the first Test between Ireland and New Zealand but the 42-10 defeat and the day’s more immediate demands had scuppered any such thoughts this time.

It was Twitter that rekindled our interest.