Ireland Beat France In Cardiff To Top Group D

Ireland have finished their pool campaign at the Rugby World Cup with a 100% record, defeating France 24-9 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff this evening.

Ireland, who lead 9-6 at half-time, will now face Argentina in a quarter-final encounter at the Millennium Stadium next Sunday.

France will have the arduous task of having to overcome the All Blacks if they wish to proceed any further in the tournament. That match takes place at the Millennium Stadium next Saturday.

Ireland’s victory was not without cost as Jonny Sexton, Peter O’Mahony and influential captain, Paul O’Connell left the field with what seemed to be fairly serious injuries.

Scorers

France

Penalties: Scott Spedding (2), Morgan Parra

Ireland

Tries: Rob Kearney, Conor Murray

Conversion: Ian Madigan

Penalties: Jonny Sexton (2), Ian Madigan (2)

Teams

Ireland

15 Rob Kearney, 14 Tommy Bowe, 13 Keith Earls, 12 Robbie Henshaw, 11 Dave Kearney, 10 Jonny Sexton, 9 Conor Murray, 8 Jamie Heaslip, 7 Sean O’Brien, 6 Peter O’Mahony, 5 Paul O’Connell (captain), 4 Devin Toner, 3 Mike Ross, 2 Rory Best, 1 Cian Healy

Replacements: 16 Richardt Strauss, 17 Jack McGrath, 18 Nathan White,19 Iain Henderson, 20 Chris Henry, 21 Eoin Reddan, 22 Ian Madigan, 23 Luke Fitzgerald.

France

15 Scott Spedding, 14 Noa Nakaitaci, 13 Bastareaud, 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Brice Dulin, 10 Frederic Michalak, 9 Sebastien Tillous Borde, 8 Louis Picamoles, 7 Damien Chouly, 6 Thierry Dusautoir (captain), 5 Yoann Maestri, 4 Pascal Pape, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Guilhem Guirado, 1 Eddy Ben Arous

Replacements: 16 Benjamin Kayser, 17 Vincent Debaty, 18 Nicolas Mas, 19 Alexandre Flanquart, 20 Bernard Le Roux, 21 Morgan Parra, 22 Remi Tales, 23 Alexandre Dumoulin