Ireland got their World Cup preparations underway on Saturday night with a comfortable - if unremarkable - victory over Italy at the Aviva Stadium.
Andy Farrell's Irish side ran out 33-17 winners, with Dave Kilcoyne, Caelan Doris (x2), Stuart McCloskey, and Cian Healy all crossed the whitewash for Ireland.
Though it was a routine game for Ireland, there were some standout performers, and some players will hope to have put their name in the ring for a place in the squad, or even the starting XV, for the World Cup next month in France.
There were, however, concerns for Ireland fans, as three players were forced off with injuries either side of the half-time interval.
Of most concern will be back-row Jack Conan, who left the stadium in a protective boot, while Craig Casey and Jimmy O'Brien also looked in some discomfort when leaving the pitch.
Thankfully, speaking to the media after the game, Ireland headd coach Andy Farrell said he was not too concerned about the severity of the injuries.
READ HERE: Jackman Says Ireland Have Failed To Fix Key Issue At Multiple World Cups
Ireland v Italy: Andy Farrell downplays injury concerns
In his post-match interview with RTÉ, Andy Farrell broke down the issues which had forced the injured Ireland trio off:
Jack came off with a bit of a sore foot, we'll see how that goes - a little bit de-powered.
Jimmy O'Brien, we think he re-aggravated a bit of a shoulder injury there.
Craig Casey got a bit of cramp in his hamstring because of his back. [They're] not too bad.
Ireland fans will be relieved with such news. Pre-World Cup injuries have haunted previous campaigns, so the priority will be to get through the remaining preparation games unscathed.
"Pretty disappointed with a few aspects of our play but look at the scoreline. It's a good start for us."
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell reflects on their 33-17 win over Italy and provides an injury update on Jack Conan, Jimmy O'Brien and Craig Casey. #RTESoccer #RWC2023 pic.twitter.com/napfRzG5eZ— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) August 5, 2023
READ HERE: Ferris Believes Italy Selection Shows No Change In Ireland Out-Half Standings
Ireland's opening World Cup game is just over a month away, and they will hope to build to a crescendo when they arrive in France later in August.
When asked for his general feeling on how the preparation had gone so far, Farrell said he was happy with the direction in which the team was going, and that he was not too concerned with some sloppy elements of Saturday night's performance:
We're just doing what we do. That's been pretty successful over time. Our training has gone really well, there's a lot of new combinations there tonight, it was a completely different side against a good Italian side - an Italian side that nearly beat France in the first game of the Six Nations.
Stop-start nature, pretty disappointed with a few aspects of our play but, if you have a look at the scoreline, it's a good start for us.
Ireland now look ahead to a warm-weather training camp in Portugal next week, before another warm-up game in Dublin against England on August 19. They will then travel to France, where a final warm-up game against Samoa is scheduled for August 26.
The first Ireland game of the Rugby World Cup sees them play Romania on Saturday September 9.
SEE ALSO: Scotland Stage Comeback Against France As Form Continues To Trend Upwards
