Johnny Sexton has questioned the 'strange' negativity around Ireland's World Cup campaign, insisting Joe Schmidt's men are ready to peak for the All Blacks.

All Blacks boss Steve Hansen lit the fuse on a potentially explosive week on Monday by vowing to lay false traps for Ireland's master tactician and head coach Joe Schmidt.

'Sean aggravated a pre-existing neck muscle complaint and has been ruled out of the remainder of RWC19,' read an Irish Rugby Football Union statement.

The Rugby World Cup kicked off four weeks ago today and now, via 50 pool stage matches, we are down to eight teams. Sportsmail tells you all need to know about the quarter-finals.

Johnny Sexton has predicted that New Zealand will be cleaner in their Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Ireland following a bruising encounter in Dublin three years ago.

All Blacks take on Ireland in their Rugby World Cup quarter-final clash in Japan as they look to progress to the semi-final to take on either England or Australia. Follow LIVE ACTION RIGHT HERE.

RORY KEANE AT TOKYO STADIUM: Dear, oh dear. Ireland's abysmal record in World Cup quarter finals continued in Tokyo as a rampant All Blacks outfit romped to a seven-try victory.

Sportsmail provide you with everything you need to know for Rugby World Cup 2019 including knockout stage fixtures, channel and results in Japan.

RORY KEANE AT THE AVIVA STADIUM: Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend jumped to the defence of skipper Stuart Hogg for the incredible blunder which cost the visitors dear in Dublin.

England will bottle the feeling of seeing Ireland win the Six Nations Grand Slam at Twickenham two years ago and use it this week, according to George Ford.

WILL KELLEHER IN DUBLIN: The 59-year-old Bono dropped into the Irish camp to give a rallying speech to Andy Farrell's team ahead of their Six Nations clash with England.

Conor Murray admits the father-son dynamic between the Farrells will be strange when Ireland face England on Sunday, but hopes his coach can provide crucial insights into his son's game.

England earned a crucial Six Nations victory over a disappointing Ireland at Twickenham on Sunday.   

CHRIS FOY AT TWICKENHAM: Eddie Jones had all his selection decisions vindicated at Twickenham as England delivered another statement victory over Ireland.

Sportsmail runs the rule over every player from the two sides after a brutal Six Nations encounter at Twickenham that gives England a chance of glory thanks to their 24-12 victory.

England wore down Ireland with their physical approach on Sunday but it wasn't just the visitors who left Twickenham with some bruises to show for it.

Sportsmail's racing expert Robin Goodfellow dishes out his tips for Monday's meetings at Wolverhampton and Wetherby.

More than two dozen people, including the trainer of champion Maximum Security, have been charged in a widespread international scheme to drug horses to make them race faster.

Sportsmail's racing expert Robin Goodfellow dishes out his tips for Thursday's meetings at Doncaster, Hexham and Chelmsford City.

Sportsmail's racing expert Robin Goodfellow shares his tips for Saturday's meeting at Thurles.

Considering Hong Kong borders mainland China, from where Covid-19 emanated, it might sound surprising that jockey Neil Callan feels he is currently 'in the safest place in the world'. 

Sportsmail's racing expert Robin Goodfellow shares his tips for Monday's meeting at Naas.

Sportsmail's racing expert Robin Goodfellow shares his tips for Tuesday's meeting at Clonmel. 

The beneficiary is SASH, charity for East Surrey Hospital and all the services provided by Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, local to Lingfield racecourse.

The fund, co-ordinated by the Racehorse Owners Association, is part of a £22m cash flow and hardship funding package for racing announced on Friday.

Taking a serious view on the ante-post Classic markets is often a perilous enough exercise as it is without the current uncertainty on whether racing may or may not resume in the short term.

Races will be restricted to 12 runners to comply with social distancing rules in plans to race behind closed doors next month. 

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW BY MARCUS TOWNEND: A leopard does not change its spots. It is no surprise then that Sir Anthony McCoy is delighting in retelling a story which will make some feel queasy.

EXCLUSIVE BY MARCUS TOWNEND: A one-off new format to decide the 2020 champion Flat jockey is set to be drafted to take account of the pandemic disruption to the season.

Powell was found to have engaged in conduct considered to be prejudicial to the integrity, proper conduct or good reputation of horse racing in Great Britain.

Italy came from behind to maintain their perfect start to Euro 2020 qualifying with a 2-1 Group J win over Bosnia in Turin on Tuesday, while Greece fell to a shock defeat at home to Armenia.

Gunners manager Unai Emery has just £45m to rebuild his squad this summer after his side missed out on Champions League qualification. ellegrini has a £27m buy-out clause in his deal.

Giacinti opened the scoring following a goalmouth scramble inside 15 minutes, while Galli double Le Azzurre's lead four minutes into the second half with a long range strike.

Mario Balotelli has reportedly landed himself in trouble with the Italian authorities after the former Manchester City striker allegedly paid a bar owner €2,000 to drive his moped into the sea.

Forward Lorenzo Insigne has withdrawn from Italy's squad with a muscular problem ahead of European Championship qualifiers against Armenia and Finland.

Italy benefited from a generous hand ball decision and converted a late penalty for a 2-1 win at Finland to extend its perfect start to European Championship qualifying on Sunday.

Blaise Matuidi is reportedly set for a contract extension after playing an important role in a Juventus side which sits top of Serie A. The Frenchman has been with the club since August 2017.

Fiorentina playmaker Kevin-Prince Boateng has pledged to take his own measures to finally putting an end to vile racist abuse in football, by creating his own task force.

Euro 2020 is under serious threat as the coronavirus continues to sweep its way across the world, with organisers of the championships monitoring the situation closely.

British stars Sam Mendes and Bertie Carvel took home two of the most coveted accolades at the Tony Awards 2019 on Sunday night in New York.

She has a varied and accomplished acting career, delighting fans on the stage and screen. And Ruth looked radiant as she attended the 73rd Annual Tony Awards at the Radio City Music Hall.

The Gone Girl actress, 28, put her assets on display in the cleavage-baring gown as she arrived at the star-studded bash held in New York City's iconic Radio City Music Hall.

Driver is nominated for Best Leading Actor in a Play. He stars alongside Keri Russell in Burn This, the sexy drama about two strangers who are brought together over a mysterious death.

Abigail Breslin arrived on the red carpet with her boyfriend Ira Kunyansky before heading inside for the ceremony.She also presented an early award of the evening with fellow actress Samira Wiley.

James Corden was joined by his glamorous wife Julia on the Tony Awards red carpet at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sunday night.

The 50-year-old actress took the plunge in a peekaboo dress, which made the most of her slender figure

Linney walked the red carpet in front of the traditional floral backdrop, which this year dons a rainbow-flag themed arrangement. It's a fitting tribute to 50 years since the Stonewall riots.

Sunday night Samira Wiley left The Handmaid's Tale behind as she stunned during her arrival at the annual Tony Awards in New York city. The actress is Nylon magazine's newest cover star.

She took the stage as a presenter alongside Jake Gyllenhaal. And ahead of her appearance, Tina Fey looked statuesque as she stepped out at the Tony Awards red carpet in New York on Sunday.

In her speech, Stroker said that 'every kid who is watching tonight who has a disability ... who has been waiting to see themselves represented in this arena ... you are!'