Ireland’s loss

Joe Schmidt's Ireland have suffered a Rugby World Cup blow with news that experienced flanker Sean O'Brien has been ruled out of the Japan tournament with a hip injury. O'Brien's club Leinster announced the loose forward, who missed their Pro14 final victory over Dave Rennie's Glasgow Warriors, was to undergo surgery and would be out of the game for six months. Dan Leavy, O'Brien's teammate for club and country, was also ruled out last month with a serious knee injury.