A 24-9 victory over France at the Millennium Stadium means Ireland go through top of Pool D, pitting Les Bleus against New Zealand in the last eight, but the Irish win came at a cost.

“It’s going to be incredibly hard for us to beat them. They are armed with more weaponry than what we saw today.“

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt saw his team book their place in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final this afternoon, but their performance left a lot to be desired.

Donal Lenihan gave his views on the Ireland v Italy RWC pool match at the Olympic Stadium.

It might not have been pretty but a win's a win was the general consensus.

Leinster’s rugby league convert Ben Te’o is undecided as to whether he will remain in union beyond his current deal — and possibly strive to qualify for Ireland — or if he will be lured back by the 13-man code.

England international Charlie Sharples has admitted that Gloucester’s suffering supporters “deserve better” ahead of a crunch Heineken Cup clash against European heavyweights Munster.