VIDEO: Jon Walters again sits out training as the boys get down to business in France

The Republic of Ireland arrived at their base in Versailles Wednesday evening and, after what we hope was a restful night in the Trianon Palace, got down to work on Thursday morning.

Martin O'Neill and his squad were granted a heroes' welcome at Stade de Montbauron as they began preparations for Monday's Group E opener against Sweden with an open training session in the French sunshine. https://twitter.com/FAIreland/status/740831026373595137 https://twitter.com/FAIreland/status/740832566840791040 What seems to have been a sizable collection of schoolchildren were joined by the Irish press pack, who were trying to put some sense on the training game that took place. A training game that took place without Jon Walters, we might add, as he continues rehab on his Achilles strain. Robbie Keane and James McCarthy trained as normal. https://twitter.com/dionfanning/status/740836973556957185 A familiar defensive grouping was jazzed up with a certain Blackburn powerhouse but, as SportsJOE chief sportswriter Dion Fanning notes, the inclusion of an absolute mainstay of the Irish team on the opposition side means we cannot read too much into the two teams pick by O'Neill. https://twitter.com/dionfanning/status/740844499052728323 https://twitter.com/dionfanning/status/740844708818235393 However the pitch is looking well - perhaps a little too well considering they are preparing for a game on the Stade de France sandpit - and a good tempo was being set. https://twitter.com/CaulkinTheTimes/status/740844087956414464 https://twitter.com/PAdugout/status/740843889741955073