So, the quarter-final line-ups are now complete. Argentina finish top of Pool D after yet another beautifully controlled piece of rugby, France face the mighty All Blacks at the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff, while Ireland join Wales on the early flight home. More

For their part, Argentina has shown both ambition and humility as the Pumas’ level dramatically increased over the past decade. The players stay humble, though their victory over France in the opening game is an historic performance rewarding the long-term work with the Amateurs.  More

Well that just about wraps things up for Ireland. An easy win for the Argentines with the precious bonus point means that the Irish now need to beat the Pumas with the bonus point for four tries or more (bearing in mind that nobody has touched down against them yet) with Argentina at least eight points adrift. More

France have finally made a real impact on this World Cup, after dismantling a desperately poor Irish side at the Stade de France. More

Sébastien Chabal has been announced as part of the starting line-up for France-Ireland. The French management staff preferred him to Lionel Nallet, who scored twice in an effective performance against Namibia. The Caveman also touched down twice in the end zone on Sunday, and he blew away the spectators.

Coach Eddie O'Sullivan admitted he is at a loss to explain Ireland's lack of form ahead of Friday's all-important Pool D clash with France. The winners of the 2007 Triple Crown made hard work of their opening matches against modest World Cup entries Namibia (32-17) and Georgia (14-10). More

Ok, it’s only rugby, but Les Bleus stand to shape part of their national destiny. A simple victory against Namibia won’t do – their fans are roaring for a crushing.

So how did the Irish come away from that match against Georgia with four points? I'm really not sure!

The men from the Emerald Isle spent huge periods of the game on the back foot, stymied by a mixture of handling errors, poor kicking, and a level of desicion making that should have been left far behind when they graduated to long trousers. More

The Irish could hardly have produced a worse performance than they did against the Namibians. 100% perspiration, 0% inspiration is the only way I can describe it. If their back line had been sitting any deeper they could have been confused with the crowds sat behind the goal posts. More