/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F21%2F37%2Fwelcome-to-sports-mole-transparent-click-area.png "Welcome to Sports Mole")
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F20%2F31%2Fsports-mole-favicon-32x32.png "Sports Mole FAVICON"){kind=small}
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F19%2F38%2Frwc-header_2.jpg "Rugby World Cup header 3")
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F19%2F40%2Frory-best.jpg "Rory Best during an Ireland training session on October 3, 2019")
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F19%2F39%2Fjordi-murphy.jpg "Jordi Murphy in action for Ireland in March 2018")
Build-up
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F18%2F46%2Fbundee-aki.jpg "Bundee Aki during an Ireland training session on March 18, 2018")
Bundee Aki believes Ireland will "step up to the plate"
The centre challenged Ireland to get their World Cup tilt back on track.Oct 3, 07:13
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F19%2F39%2Fjohnny-sexton_1.jpg "Johnny Sexton in action for Ireland on September 22, 2019")
Andy Farrell: 'Johnny Sexton will stay positive with the referee'
Ireland came out on the wrong side of referee Angus Gardner in Saturday's shock defeat against tournament hosts Japan.Oct 2, 08:26
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F18%2F48%2Fandy-farrell.jpg "Ireland coach Andy Farrell pictured in November 2018")
Andy Farrell looking to turn Japan "setback" into positive for Ireland
Coach wants Ireland to bounce back from shock loss to Japan.Oct 2, 06:16
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F19%2F32%2Fjoey-carbery.jpg "Joey Carbery pictured on August 10, 2019")
Ireland confident in Joey Carbery ability at scrum-half
Fly-half is to switch positions.Oct 1, 12:39
Johnny Sexton excited for "massive honour" of Ireland captaincy
The fly-half will take the armband as Ireland rest captain Rory Best.Oct 1, 11:39
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F19%2F06%2Fgarry-ringrose.jpg "Ireland's Garry Ringrose in action against England in the Six Nations on February 2, 2019")
Joe Schmidt admits Garry Ringrose selection is a "risk"
Johnny Sexton will captain Ireland for the first time against Russia.Oct 1, 07:39
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F19%2F05%2Fcj-stander.jpg "Ireland's CJ Stander celebrates in November 2018")
Ireland's CJ Stander declares himself fit for Russia clash
The Irish side suffered a shock defeat to Japan on the weekend.Sep 30, 07:48
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F23%2Fgambling-online.png "Footer logo for GAMSTOP"){kind=small}
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F06%2FGambleAware%20Secondary%20Main%20Grey.png "on February 3, 2024"){kind=small}