Lift off for Ireland with Westmeath's Robbie on board

The Ireland rugby squad jetted off to France on a specially chartered Aer Lingus flight today (Thursday) as they prepare to compete in the World Cup.

The specially branded Airbus A320, Green Spirit, departed Dublin at 12 noon and was flown by Captain Caolan Flanagan, who attended the same school as Ireland rugby captain Johnny Sexton.

The Ireland squad includes Athlone native Robbie Henshaw, who began his rugby career with Buccaneers, before going on to star for Connacht, Leinster and Ireland.

Further Athlone links to the Irish travelling party are provided by Cornamagh natives Keith Fox and Robbie Fox. Keith, who runs Action Physio in Athlone, works with the squad as a physiotherapist and his brother Robbie is a masseur.

The team and management including coaches Andy Farrell, Mike Catt, Simon Easterby, John Fogarty and Paul O’Connell and player ambassadors, Tadhg Furlong, Josh van der Flier, Henshaw and Sexton were photographed boarding the plane ahead of their departure to Paris.

Aer Lingus expects tens of thousands of Ireland supporters to fly to France throughout the duration of the tournament.

Jessica Long, IRFU Head of Commercial, commented: "There is great excitement across Irish rugby ahead of the Rugby World Cup and we are delighted to partner with our long-standing official airline Aer Lingus in helping the team get there safely. On behalf of the IRFU we thank Aer Lingus for their great support and wish all of our travelling supporters a ‘Bon Voyage’ in the weeks ahead.”

Ireland's RWC fixtures (Irish time in all cases)

Saturday, September 9: Ireland v Romania, Bordeaux, 2.30pm.

Saturday, September 16: Ireland v Tonga, Nantes, 8pm.

Saturday, September 23: Ireland v South Africa, Stade de France, 8pm.

Saturday, October 7: Ireland v Scotland, Stade de France, 8pm.