Three Ireland stars having far too much fun, as Andy Farrell’s side embark on World Cup adventure

The squad looked in high spirits as they flew out to France.

Andy Farrell’s Ireland players, and his backroom team, flew out from Dublin Airport this afternoon (August 31) for an adventure they hope lasts two months.

The squad flew out to France on a specially chartered Aer Lingus flight – A320, a.k.a Green Spirit – departed Dublin at 12 noon and was flown by Captain Caolan Flanagan, who attended the same school (St Mary’s College) as Ireland captain, Johnny Sexton. While many players looked keen to get up in the air, others were drawing great craic out of proceedings and soaking in every moment.

Ireland players in great spirits

The Sportsfile and Inpho agencies, as well as TV cameras were at Dublin Airport for the Ireland players as they prepared to jet off to France.

They captured some great, candid snaps of the group and, by our reckoning, Bundee Aki, Jack Crowley and Peter O’Mahony were having the most fun with it all. Josh van der Flier deserves a mention, too, for really selling that Robbie Henshaw cap steal.

‘All systems go’ – Johnny Sexton

Ireland will be led by Johnny Sexton in France, in what will be his final tournament before hanging up his playing boots.

This will be Sexton’s fourth World Cup, but the first time he has the honour of captaining his country on the highest of Test rugby stages.

“We’ve made it well known that we’re a very close group,” Sexton told reporters at Dublin Airport. “We’ve built that over the last four years.

“Our initial thoughts are we’re gutted for Cian [Healy, the injured Ireland prop]. That’s where we’ve been so it’s very hard to… but once we get out there, now, as far as we know Cian is feeling better and we’re all systems go. We’re looking forward to a huge tournament ahead.”

'All systems go' – Johnny Sexton and the Ireland team depart Dublin Airport for the Rugby World Cup in France #RTERugby #RTESport #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/qugLHpRRAn

— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) August 31, 2023

The Ireland players will now focus on the World Cup opener against Romania, on September 9, before taking on Tonga, South Africa and Scotland.

The knock-out stages start with the quarter finals, October 14-15, with the final in Paris on October 28.

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Related articles:

• Jack Crowley not letting Ross Byrne out of his sights, as Cian Prendergast books World Cup ticket
• Dan Sheehan gives positive injury update ahead of Rugby World Cup as Ireland team collect ‘bagful’ of kit
• Roy Keane cracks jokes with Johnny Sexton and Andy Farrell at Ireland training camp
• Paul O’Connell on his most treasured jersey swap and toughest opponent
• Tommy Bowe backs Jack Crowley as World Cup ‘deputy’ to Johnny Sexton

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