Nearly 600 Irish /Australian business people turned up to officially welcome the Ireland RWC party to Australia earlier today. At a lunchtime function in the Sydney Four Seasons Hotel, Peter Brennan, the Chairman of the Lansdowne Club led the corporate gathering in a rousing rendition of Ireland's Call as Eddie O'Sullivan and Keith Wood led the Ireland squad into the packed dining room. Also included in the Irish party were IRFU President John Quilligan, Treasurer John Lyons and Marketing Director Padraig Power while IRB Chairman Dr. Syd Miller - Manager of the Ireland 1987 RWC squad - was also in attendance.

Players and guests were treated to a sumptuous meal, which had Ravenhill Road Smoked Ham as a starter, followed by Lansdowne Road Oven Baked Turkey Breast and followed by Thomond Park Style Blackberry Cheesecake. For those outside the national squad, there was Tullamore Dew Irish Coffee to finish.

Well known business journalist Michael Pascoe conducted a Q&A session with O'Sullivan and Wood and David Campese was also on hand to lend his own particular brand of humour to the proceedings.

Ireland team manager Brian O'Brien spoke of his and the entire squad's delight at being involved in the world's premier rugby tournament in this, a sports mad city in a sports mad country. He also thanked the Lansdowne Club, for the tremendous welcome accorded the Irish party and he told the assembled audience that your presence here gives our lads a tremendous lift and we will be doing everything in our power to make you proud of us.

The Lansdowne Club is comprised of Irish business people in Australia and it's an organisation that initiated the Lansdowne Cup for games between Australia and Ireland.

At the end of the official proceedings and prior to the departure of the Ireland team and management, John Quilligan paid tribute to the organisers and thanked Guinness, The Irish Echo, PJ O'Brien, Tullamore Dew, Jacob's Creek and the Four Seasons Hotel for their involvement and support of Ireland's RWC campaign.