Donal Lenihan: Ireland will need every bit of their downtime

In the context of a World Cup, Ireland hasn't experienced a night like this since taking our first big southern hemisphere scalp at a World Cup when beating Australia on a wonderful evening at Ellis Park in Auckland back in 2011.

TO THE VICTOR GO THE SPOILS: Peter O’Mahony of Ireland celebrates. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

A game and occasion fit for the World Cup final itself and, who knows, that might yet prove to be the case.

When the No. 1 and No. 2 ranked sides in rugby came together at the Stade de France on Saturday night, something had to give.