Ireland Fall Apart

England aren't the only Home Nation to have disappointed in their performances, and Ireland had a shocker against France, who were out to prove a point to themselves and the French press. Ronan O'Gara [left] had seen the bad side of publicity too, during the build up to the game.

The first half didn't see any tries - but France got four penalties out of five; O'Gara scored a drop goal but missed an early penalty attempt.

It took Freddy Michalak's [right] crossfield kick in the 59th minute to put Vincent Clerc over in the corner for the first try of the game. He matched it ten minutes later in the same corner, but again, Elissalde could not add the extra two points.

So, at 25-3 as the final score, France will be pleased with their performance. Ireland were let down by poor discipline and sloppy play, gifting their opponents the chance of 7 kicks at goal, and 15 of their points. For Ireland to go through to the Quarter Finals, they have to beat Argentina convincingly in their last pool game, something I really can't see happening on the evidence so far. Eddie O'Sullivan must be a worried man right now.