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Rob Kearney reflects on his World Cup swansong

Rob Kearney's been trying to tell himself to enjoy this upcoming Rugby World Cup. The 2019 tourna...



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Rob Kearney reflects on his World Cup swansong


Rob Kearney's been trying to tell himself to enjoy this upcoming Rugby World Cup.

The 2019 tournament in Japan will be the Leinster full-back's third and last for Ireland.

He was part of Ireland squads that exited at the quarter-final stage in both 2011 and 2015.

He and Jack Conan spoke at today's pre-Wales game press conference and Rob Kearney touched on his upcoming milestone.

"Anytime you get selected for a World Cup, it's incredible isn't it," he said.

"Knowing that it's going to be my last one, does make it a little bit different.

"And I keep trying to tell myself to enjoy it. It is difficult to do. But the World Cup is the pinnacle for any rugby player and to do it for Ireland is always very humbling for me."

Scotland

Scotland will be Ireland's first World Cup pool opponents, and the most formidable test they will face in the first four group games.

Saturday's warm-up game against Wales will help Ireland tune-up for that according to Kearney.

"It's probably the biggest game of the pool for us," said Kearney.

"And we know that Scotland are starting to brim nicely. They got a good win over France at home. So it's also a perfect test for us.

"Wales at home, it's as tough as it gets. So hopefully we can show what we've been doing a little bit more over the last few weeks.

"The guys who played in the Principality last week kicked it on another gear. A lot of changes now this weekend so there's a big onus on us to make sure we replicate what they did and add a little bit more."

Conan also welcomed the opportunity to get rid of any rustiness.

"It's good to get the nod after last weekend to play again," he said.

"Obviously it's only my second game. I felt a bit rusty at the weekend, so it's good to get a few more minutes and get another run-out."

You can watch the full Rob Kearney and Jack Conan press conference above via YouTube.

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Ireland Jack Conan Leinster Off The Ball Rob Kearney Rugby Wales