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.

WORLD CUP DIARY: Johnny Sexton was as combative off the field as he is on it on Monday, questioning the media coverage of Ireland's World Cup.

'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.

RORY KEANE IN TOKYO: Ireland have a shot at history here on Saturday, with the All Blacks standing in the way of a place in the World Cup semi-finals.

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: Johnny Sexton says Ireland are trying to draw a line under the hellish events of last year and Saturday was a good start as Andy Farrell's side won.

Ireland are desperate to show green shoots of recovery after a harrowing World Cup under Joe Schmidt. Sportsmail analyses their threats, and what has changed under new coach Andy Farrell.

Brian O'Driscoll has accused Eddie Jones of 'scaremongering' and admitted he relished the sight of the England head coach's comments backfiring so spectacularly against France.

During the Joe Schmidt era, Ireland were renowned for peppering the backfield with high balls from Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray but Eddie Jones insists that England can cope with it.

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: The good news is I sensed a sharpening of intensity with England at Murrayfield - but the bad news is some of Eddie Jones' selections are making me very nervous!

NIK SIMON'S FORM GUIDE: England have had an up and down Six Nations campaign so far, with one win and one loss, while Ireland are still undefeated at this stage.

DYLAN HARTLEY: A lot of people have been chucking stones at Eddie Jones but my message for the RFU is clear: give him a new contract. Dave at the pub might disagree.

MIKE BROWN: You always know when it's an Ireland Test week because the coaches put a life-sized cardboard cut-out of Johnny Sexton in the team dining room.

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

England dominated from start to finish as they took a 24-12 victory over Ireland. Influential fly-half Johnny Sexton struggled to get into the game as England's defence barely gave him room to breathe.

Reports suggesting that large public gatherings will soon be banned mean racing's position as the last major sport to still be operating normally looks close to ending.

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'. 

Marquand dictated the pace aboard Addeybb, who was last seen finishing second to Magical in the Champion Stakes last October and is a seven times winner in Britain.

The BHA have postponed their consultation into the use of the whip while operation duties during the COVID-19 pandemic take priority.

It has been decided the 2019-20 titles should be awarded on the standings when the sport was shut down on March 17 with racing suspended due to the coronavirus.

New dates will now have to be sought for the four Classics, which are the 2,000 Guineas on May 4 and the 1,000 Guineas on May 5 at Newmarket, as well as the Oaks on June 5 and Derby on June 6.

Leading rider Jamie Spencer is facing sometime out of the saddle following an accident on the Newmarket gallops on Friday. The 39-year-old Irishman was returning to the David Simcock stable.

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.

Britain's best-known Flat jockey has thrown his weight behind the Frankie Dettori raffle with the winner getting to own a horse for a day ridden by the Italian wearing colours they have designed.

The tight guidelines of the strictest scenario for a possible return to racing have been underlined with the selected racecourses operating as almost sealed sites.

All race meetings in the UK were cancelled following the lockdown on March 23 in a bid to halt the spread of coronavirus but the sport's organisers have been working on a radical restart of races.

Racing aims to be one of the first sports to emerge from lockdown, with the British Horseracing Authority releasing a provisional list of big races it could run on the final two weekends of this month.

There is no racing at present but there is still plenty to discuss and Sportsmail columnist Peter Scudamore is on hand to answer some important questions.

The club'sformer captain announced he was leaving his role as technical director last week, which brought an end to his 30-year affiliation with the club. Totti has been spotted enjoying a break.

After 17 hugely successful years and 656 appearances for Serie A giants Juventus, Gianluigi Buffon made the move to Paris Saint-Germain last summer on a free transfer.

EXCLUSIVE BY ALVISE CAGNAZZO: Gianluigi Buffon rejected the chance to move to either Manchester United or City as he did not want a repeat of his underwhelming spell at Paris Saint-Germain.

Daniele De Rossi, who left Roma at the end of last season after they announced they would not renew his contract, donned his new club colours for the first time in Buenos Aires.

Moise Kean is one of the exciting young players in the world; an Italian international, Serie A champion and important figure in the fight against racism, while still in his teens.

Moise Kean is one of the most exciting young players in the world; an Italian international, Serie A champion and important figure in the fight against racism, while still in his teens.

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

The 25-year-old defender started the top-of-the-table Group J Euro 2020 qualifier against Finland at the Tampere Stadium. But left-back Emerson sustained the problem after just six minutes.

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.

The 33-year-old Italian midfielder has decided to hang up his boots after leaving Russian outfit Zenit Saint Petersburg as a free agent in the summer.

Sean Dyche has quashed talk of Jay Rodriguez making a shock move to Inter Milan, branding it one of the strangest he has heard. Rodriguez only joined Burnley for £10million in the summer.

The former Arsenal star, who joined the Old Lady on a free transfer this summer, says he has been welcomed into the Turin-based side by the five-time Ballon D'or winner.

The Dutchman signed for the Italian giants for €75million (£67.8m) in the summer after captaining Ajax to the Champions League semi-finals with a series of colossal displays.

EXCLUSIVE BY SAMI MOKBEL: Rodwell will arrive in Rome with a view to completing a short-term deal until the end of the season.

Napoli knew they could make up ground on second-placed Inter Milan, who drew 2-2 at home to Parma, and Juventus, who were held to a 1-1 draw at Lecce, but finished their afternoon crestfallen.

Jack Rodwell has reportedly entered talks with Parma regarding a surprise switch to Italian football. The free agent looked on course to sign for Roma, but the deal ultimately fell through.

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.

Italian media have widely reported that Napoli will fine the players between one quarter and one half of last month's wages after they rebelled against an order by club owner Aurelio De Laurentiis.