SOLDIER TO SOLDIER

Gibson-Park targets a repeat of famous Chicago win over All Blacks as World Cup countdown begins

- BY MICHAEL SCULLY

IRELAND'S 2027 World Cup bid starts now, says Jamison Gibson-Park - but first Andy Farrell's big Leinster contingent are dealing with a reality check.

Usually it is the Blues brothers who have bragging rights coming into international camp but this time it was different after Munster lorded it at Croke Park on Saturday night.

"You're right, it's normally the other way around," said Gibson-Park. "They're giving us a bit of a stick, but it's fully deserved.

"They were great winners on the weekend - great for the state of the game in Ireland, they put out a pretty solid performance and they were by far the better team, so I think they deserved it for sure."

So before the 22-strong Leinster party in Farrell's (inset) squad left for Chicago yesterday, there were plenty of wounds licked.

They left Croker with Leo Cullen's 'own it' message ringing in their ears. Ireland scrum coach John Fogarty described the 31-14 defeat for the URC champions as a 'massive kick up the arse' on Monday.

Gibson-Park isn't shying away from it. "Yeah, it's certainly something we mentioned after the game," he said. "It's a bit of a reality check for us, really.

"For a lot of us it was our first time out (this season) and we felt as though we prepared well, but we obviously hadn't because they're by far the better team.