As the Cranberries classic Zombie rang around the Stade de France at multiple points during last year’s Rugby World Cup, it almost seemed destined that fly-half and Ireland great Johnny Sexton would cap his career standing by lifting the William Webb Ellis trophy.
The four provinces were coached by Andy Farrell for the first time at the tournament and hopes were high of a first ever knockout victory, having swept the Six Nations in 2023 to the tune of a Grand Slam.
But it wasn’t to be. Ireland were beaten by eventual finalists New Zealand and the giants of European rugby rumbled on without global honours.
For Farrell, who has been confirmed as the coach of the British and Irish Lions meaning he will not take charge of Ireland in next year’s Six Nations, World Cup cycles
…. to be continued
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