In Pics: Guinness Sponsorship Launch : Irish Rugby

Pictured above: Ireland lock Paul O'Connell, who could take his caps tally to 39 this month, poses with models Roberta and Sarah at the launch of Guinness' sponsorship of Ireland's Autumn Test Series at the Killiney Castle Hotel.

Eddie O'Sullivan's Irish side will line out against South Africa (Saturday, November 11, 5pm), Australia (Sunday, November 19, 4pm) and the Pacific Islands (Sunday, November 26, 2.45pm) over the next three weekends at Lansdowne Road.

Pictured alongside models Una (Pacific Islands), Sarah (Australia) and Roberta (South Africa), the 27-year-old O'Connell relayed that there was a general excitement in the Irish squad at present as the build-up to the 2007 World Cup truly begins on Saturday.

He said: "Eddie has been talking about this (the squad) being the 30 or so players who are in pole position for the World Cup so at this stage everyone's mind is on the World Cup.

"It's the build up now - that's exactly what it is. You have to start putting your form together and start playing as a team, trying to win games and putting together a run. That's what we're trying to do now over the next three weeks."

Due to injury, O'Connell and Irish captain Brian O'Driscoll both missed last November's internationals against New Zealand, Australia and Romania, and the Munster lock reckons having a full squad this time around and home advantage sets Ireland up well for a shot at two of the Southern Hemisphere's big hitters.

"To be playing with a full squad is very important for us," he added. "We don't have the depth that maybe other countries have but with a full squad we should do quite well. Not being away from home at the end of a long year, it's a massive difference playing at Lansdowne Road. It's a big boost for us."

**All photos by Brendan Moran of Sportsfile**

IRFU Chief Executive Philip Browne spoke to Irish Rugby TV about the Union's 2016/17 Annual Report, which includes increased investment in Women's rugby and addresses the challenges of funding for the game in Ireland.

The launch of a commemorative stamp to mark the Women's Rugby World Cup in Ireland was a special day for Women's rugby, team captain Niamh Briggs and her family. We spoke to her and her dad Mike at the GPO.

Marie Louise Reilly joined her Ireland team-mates Nora Stapleton and Lindsay Peat at a recent Dublin City Council event in support of the upcoming Women's Rugby World Cup. Reilly, who works as a DCC Sports Officer, said: "The team are coming together really well, we're working hard and hopefully August will be really memorable not just for us but for the whole country."