Reaction as Ireland reach RWC quarters

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt on next weekend's table-topping clash against France: "France are another level up - we will have to raise our game again. We work on that this week and hopefully we can come up with the goods."

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt: "That game was exactly what we expected. We have been allowed to cruise through the first two games and it was shock to the system to come against a tier one side who needed to win to stay in the tournament.

"I said last week we'd take a one-point win, so a seven-point win is good enough."

• Ireland have now won 20 of their last 21 games against Italy
• However, this was Ireland’s narrowest victory over the Azzurri since February 2011 having won by 23+ points in each of their four wins since then

Sorry for sounding like a broken record but it is important. Very important. Ireland's win books their place in the quarter-finals, while Italy's wait to reach the knockout stage for the first time goes on. And here's the confirmation....

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Ireland shaded most departments against Italy, but one stat really jumps out - at the line-out. No pun intended there...

The Italians failed to collect 12 of their 17 throws, while Ireland continued their impeccable line-out record in the tournament - winning all 10 of their attempts.

Nail on head. Former Welsh international Scott Quinnell sums up the Ireland result rather succinctly.

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Ireland captain Paul O'Connell: "We have won and are into the quarter-finals,  that's the bonus. It was a disappointing performance, very inaccurate, and we have put too much ball down. When we do that we can't play our game and it interrupted our rhythm. A great try-saving tackle from Peter O'Mahony saved the game for us.

"It is going to be a massive game against France, who are playing good rugby. We have to massively improve from this performance."

The Irish also made more metres (386-300), made more carries (126-105) and beat more defenders (20-10).

The one stat that Italy did dominate was the number of tackles made - 146 to Ireland's 90.

It may have been a hard-fought win for Joe Schmidt's men, but it was a win nonetheless.

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The full-time action areas suggest that, while Italy kept them honest, Ireland deserved their victory, with 57% of the possession and having had the better of the territory.

The win is the important thing. It is three wins out of three and Ireland are in good shape going into the final pool game against France. Next Sunday's game is absolutely huge. They have both qualified and the aim now is to avoid the All Blacks.

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The Irish victory means Joe Schmidt's men are assured of a place in the quarter-finals. And that sets up a humdinger of a final game against France - the winner taking the group and avoiding the All Blacks in the last eight.

No such luck for the Italians though. The Azzurri are heading home. After their final Pool D match against Romania of course.

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And that's it - all over! Johnny Sexton receives the ball and sticks his boot straight through it to find touch. Ireland needed to win - by hook or by crook - and that is exactly what they have done.

This to seal the match then. But Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton drags the kick left of the posts. Don't worry too much though, Ireland fans, there are just seconds left on the clock...

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Zebo is in the thick of the forward running, but then wastefully throws a forward pass as he looks for Tommy Bowe in support. Hang on - the referee doesn't give it! And then Italy give away a kickable penalty for obstruction...

Untidy stuff from the Ireland pack allows Italy to counter down the right flank, but an offload goes stray and allows Simon Zebo to gather. Chance gone. And that sets up an Ireland attack...

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"Ireland haven't clicked and they haven't looked like a team that can go on and win the World Cup. It just hasn't really happened for them today."

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How are your nerves Ireland fans? A poor throw from Italy hooker David Giazzon goes long over his team-mates, allowing Johnny Sexton to hammer clear into touch and ease the pressure.

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Ireland have been dominant at the line-out today, but can't nick another Italian set-piece inside their own 22. Azzurri scrum-half Edoardo Gori boots clear the danger, but referee Jerome Garces decides to collar Peter O'Mahony for a high tackle. The Frenchman shows the yellow card. The Irishman cannot believe it.

Ten minutes left in this tight Pool D game. Can Ireland hang on? They should do. But they might have to do it with 14 men, however...

Another raft of changes sees Ireland introduce Devin Toner and Chris Henry, while Italy throw veteran Mauro Bergamasco into the fray.

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The first job of the afternoon for Carlo Canna - Tommasso Allan's replacement - is to line up a kick at goal. But the Italy fly-half's kick from close to the halfway line lacks the legs and drops short of the Irish posts.

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Time for a Italian change - and one that is not unexpected. Talisman Sergio Parisse - playing his first World Cup match after injury - trudges off after battling through an hour, despite only returning to training on Tuesday after a calf injury. Fly-half Tommaso Allan is also replaced.

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Ireland, whose overall possession percentage has now ticked up to 58%, are also starting to dominate the other attacking numbers.

They've now made now metres (299-223), more carries (102-77) and beaten more defenders (14-5).

Although how many of those beaten defenders is actually just Simone Favaro being given the runaround, we can't confirm...

Little under 20 minutes left. That's 20 minutes for Ireland to hold on and book their quarter-final sport. Or it is 20 minutes for Italy to mount a courageous comeback and save their World Cup skins?

Listen to this fascinating second half on BBC Radio 5 live by clicking on the speaker symbol at the top left hand side of the page.

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More Italian indiscipline - a sign that they are getting a little leggy? - gives Johnny Sexton another shot at goal. More silence from the crowd, before more brilliance from the Irish fly-half's trusty right peg.

Time for a double Ireland change in the front row. On come Cian Healy and Nathan White.

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We mentioned Simone Favaro's impressive tackling stats earlier on, but he's not been quite so imperious in this second half.

He's now missed five tackles - which is more than the rest of the Italy team put together (nine in total).

A hush around the Olympic Stadium as Johnny Sexton lines up his fourth kick of the afternoon, teeing up just to the right of the Italian posts inside the 22. No problem for the Irish fly-half. Three more points nudge his team further ahead.

Here is the Irish onslaught. Johnny Sexton hangs a cross kick in the autumn air, knowing that Ireland have an advantage after an earlier Italian faux pas at the breakdown. Robbie Henshaw challenges for the high ball, but it wriggles out of his grasp. So the referee brings it back for the earlier offence...

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"Great pressure from Ireland but there's still an inability to make a clean break and get through the Italian defence. That worries me when they're taking it through phases, like they are."

"This is the stage of the game where you look at the strength of the benches, and see what impact they can make. People like Luke Fitzgerald, Devin Toner and Chris Henry will have to come on and make a difference."

Ireland coach Joe Schmidt looks pretty glum, hand on chin, as he assess the danger from his lofty position in the Olympic Stadium stands. Irish fans - if they didn't realise it before - know their side are involved in a scrap. "Ireland, Ireland!" rings around as they throw their support behind the men in green.

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Italy might have been denied the chance of seven points, but the next best thing is to add three on their side of the scoreboard shortly after. Tommaso Allan gratefully accepts the chance to fire a penalty at the sticks, confidently walloping an arrow of a kick straight through. We have a game on our hands!

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Italy denied, Ireland relieved. Sensational last-ditch tackle from Irish back rower O'Mahony, who shoves Furno to ensure the Italian's left-foot touches the whitewash. No try.

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Ireland commit a lot of numbers to that attack and are susceptible to some serious danger on the counter. Italian second-rower Josh Furno scampers down the left touchline  and manages to get the ball down - he thinks. But did Peter O'Mahony bundle him into touch first? Let's go to the TMO to find out....

Ireland steal the ball at an Italian line-out - not for the first time. Quick hands along the line give the Irish a sniff out wide left, but they lose possession and Italy burst forward...

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Oooh and aaahs from the Irish-dominated crowd as Iain Henderson charges down a Tommaso Allan kick inside the Italian 22. The Italy scrum-half scampers back to recover the ball before his skipper Sergio Parisse hacks the ball clear to alleviate the pressure.

Italy go straight on the attack, but hand over possession when Sergio Parisse is penalised for holding on. Italy's bald number eight coughs up the penalty after some intense pressure in the breakdown from Irish second rower Paul O'Connell. 

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Team-talks over, water levels topped up, minor knocks tended to. Half-time is over for both camps. Ireland's Johnny Sexton drop kicks the match back under way. Game on!

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There's been nothing to separate the teams in terms of possession, and the attacking stats have been pretty close too. 

Ireland have made 176 metres to Italy's 156, 60 carries to their 62 and 56 tackles to their 68.

In contrast to the match between Argentina and Tonga, which saw 63 missed tackles across the 80 minutes, there have been just nine in the first half at the Olympic Stadium.

Any half-time thoughts Ireland fans? Put yourself in Joe Schmidt's shoes for a moment - what would you been saying to your men in that sweaty dressing room? Tweet your 140-word team-talks to #bbcrugby. And that applies to you too Italy fans...

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Fit-again centre Robbie Henshaw has reminded Ireland exactly what he has to offer during that first half. Henshaw, who missed the opening two World Cup games, starred in both attack and defence during the first half, setting up Keith Earls' try and coming second only to Jack McGrath (8) for tackles made.

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"Italy have caused Ireland some problems but Ireland won't be too concerned going in at half-time. This is precisely the kind of test that they need at this stage of the World Cup."

"Joe Schmidt will be worried about this side's discipline, giving away penalties in their own 22, looking after the ball in contact. But overall, if Ireland can keep this tempo up I'd expect them to be in control of this match after 60 minutes."

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Italy thought they had made it to the break without further punishment after that scrum infringement. But they almost came a cropper after switching off in the dying moments. The Azzurri lose the line out and, after Ireland quickly move the ball out left, Keith Earls almost dances his way through a gap. However, his offload finds touch and that brings the first half to an end.

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Italy will be happy to see this through to the break. Scrum time - and you can bet your bottom Euro that the Italians will be looking to force an Irish error here. That is exactly what they do, prop Matias Aguero milking a scrum infringement to give his team some valuable breathing space.

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Ireland drive forward with the Italian pack looking vulnerable. But they are let off the hook! Ireland scrum-half Conor Murray fumbles the ball and the chance goes down the drain. A mixture of frustration and anger is etched over Murray's face...

Italy are caught offside in their own 22, Ireland kick into touch. Cue huge Irish roar. Rory Best finds his man...Ireland push for the line...

No luck of the Irish so far.

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What are you thinking then Ireland fans? Satisfied with the opening half hour? Worried by Italy's threat or confident your side will comfortably see them off after the break? Get involved using #bbcrugby or text 81111.

Johnny Sexton has another chance to add to Ireland's score after Quintin Geldenhuys lifts the legs of his opponent in the tackle. But this time the fly-half's usually reliable boot lets him down, the ball pinging against the right post and crashing back down into the hands of a grateful Sergio Parisse.

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"I didn't think that was a pick and dump tackle but the officials are getting pretty hot on player protection rules, and that's a positive rather than a negative."

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Ireland have had to make more tackles than Italy in this first 30 minutes (48 to 44), but Italy flanker Simone Favaro tops the individual charts with eight.

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"Parisse is at the centre of everything good that Italy are doing. He has thrown several great passes and has the vision of a fly-half."

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Irish indiscipline gives Italy another sniff. This time the Irish are punished for not releasing in their own half, but redeem themselves by nabbing the line-out when the Italians kick into touch. The Irish have been dominant in the set-piece so far, winning all of their three line-outs.

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"Italy have made an impressive start. Their shape and accuracy has been excellent so far and they are trying to create overlaps as well, which is something we maybe weren't expecting."

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Two penalties, six points. Tommaso Allan produces another crisp strike off the tee from a central position. The Olympic Stadium is predominantly Irish today, but there's a healthy number of Italians in the crowd judging by the cheer which greets the score.

Right, let's see what response Italy can muster. Quite a good one as it happens. Sergio Parisse - their talismanic number eight - goes on the charge and a couple of phases later the Irish are punished again for not rolling away. Another chance for Tommaso Allan...

Record breaker!

Jolly green giant.

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"Great go-forward from Henderson, Earls followed Henshaw through the gap and finished it off. It was great centre play by Ireland."

Italy have edged the opening quarter of an hour, also having had the better of the metres made and carries stats.

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No problem for Italy fly-half Tommaso Allan. He eyes up the target, then confidently slot over the kick. All square and that's what the Italians deserve.

Italy go on the offensive again, forcing Ireland into conceding a penalty. Irish hands in the ruck is the offence, we are told. Italy decide to go for goal from just inside the Irish 22...

Injured Italian centre Andrea Masi shows his support from the sofa.

A huge roar goes around the Olympic Stadium as the sides contest their first scrum of the match. "First scrum - very important. Stay on your shoulders," says French referee Jerome Garces. Italy's pack is slightly heavier than their Irish counterparts, and the Azzurri come out of the first heave with the ball.

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You didn't doubt him, did you? Of course not. Johnny Sexton sticks his size 10 cleanly  through the ball, clipping it over the posts. Easy peasy.

Early chance for Ireland as they win a penalty in front of the posts. The Olympic Stadium falls silent as Johnny Sexton, unsurprisingly, tees up a kick at goal...

"In critical games like this you need to score points when you apply pressure - Italy will be disappointed they were unable to come away with some points there, whether through a try or a penalty."

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"Come in number 12, you're time is up." Bad news for Italy as centre Gonzalo Garcia trudges off in the opening stages through injury. Garcia looks distraught as he grazes his gingery beard back on the bench, after being replaced by Tommaso Benvenuti.

But the change doesn't disrupt the Azzurri too much as they go on the offensive. Ireland's defence remains firm though .

No success at the set-piece yet for the Irish, Italian hooker Andrea Manici finding a blue shirt with both of his opening throws.

First handling error from the Italians gives possession back to the Irish, who made progress into opposition territory thanks to the trusty right peg of Johnny Sexton.

Italy fly-half Tommaso Allan has the honour of kicking off this Pool D match - which is exactly what he does. Game on!

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Ladies and gentlemen, we have a very important guest on the Olympic Stadium touchline. Nope, not a member of the Royal Family, or David Beckham...it is the William Webb Ellis trophy! That beautiful piece of gold glistens in the east London sunshine before being carried off to a safer vantage point. Time to go...

I think we will see another very well organised Ireland performance. Maybe not showing a huge amount but doing enough to win the game by a similar margin to the 36-6 win over Italy at the last World Cup.

A lot of the Italian players have got a little bit older and the probably don’t have the same physical threat that they had two, three, four years ago. Parisse is their one world-class player. Even when they are beaten, he invariably looks outstanding but will he be able to produce his best after his recent injury problems?

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Ear-splitting noise as the two teams stroll out of the Olympic Stadium, with swathes of green are covering all four sides of the ground.

Quick reminder before kick-off that you can listen to all the action (as well as hanging on our every word of course...) by tuning into BBC Radio 5 live sports extra or BBC Radio Ulster.

If you're quick you will hear rousing renditions of both national anthems...

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Ireland coach Joe Schmidt, now back in the Olympic Stadium tunnel, on ITV1: "We're not trying to avoid anyone in the quarter-finals -we're just trying to get ourselves into the last eight. Lose today and it is a three way race for the quarter-finals. 

On Robbie Henshaw's inclusion: "He brings stability to our defence, in the Six Nations he was our best tackler. He's got a strong carry and passing game and his work-rate means he will contribute right the way through."

"After losing warm-up games against Wales and England, Ireland appeared back to their well-drilled and efficient selves in the opening wins over Canada and Romania."Italy’s struggle in edging out Canada 23-18 suggests the Irish should win comfortably but the Azzurri welcome back talisman Sergio Parisse who missed their opening two matches."It’s win or bust for Italy. More likely to be the latter for a side that defeated Ireland as recently as the 2013 Six Nations."  

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Now I don't know whether Simon Cowell is a rugby union man or not, but if the high-trousered music mogul is watching the action in the Olympic Stadium then he would surely spot the talents of Italian powerhouse Sergio Parisse.

Italy were without the number eight against France and Canada, but have rushed him back from injury to face the Irish in a bid to provide a magic spark.

“That’s what we’ve missed, hopefully he will be on the pitch with us and he can bring that calmness and X-factor,” says team-mate Quintin Geldenhuys. “We need something extra and hopefully he can give it to us.”  

Italy make five changes from the win against Canada - with one new name instantly leaping out of the team-sheet.

Sergio Parisse, their talismanic number eight,  returns after missing the first two matches with a calf injury. Elsewhere Andrea Manici replaces injured hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini, with Matias Aguero, Simone Favaro and centre Michele Capagnaro also drafted in.  

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Ireland boss Joe Schmidt makes 11 changes from the 44-10 win over Romania with only Simon Zebo, Keith Earls, Tommy Bowe and Jamie Heaslip retained.

Zebo stays at full-back because Rob Kearney (hip) is not being risked, while Earls switches to centre alongside fit-again Robbie Henshaw.

Henshaw tastes his first World Cup action after a hamstring twinge ruled him out of the opening games.

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"For the second World Cup Sunday in a row, Ireland are back in action, almost under the radar, after a Saturday night of Twickenham tumult.

"Ireland coach Joe Schmidt won’t mind the majority of the rugby world’s attentions being focused on the hosts’ stunning World Cup exit as his Six Nations champions look to book their place in the last eight."

So far Pool D has been more predictable than the sun setting in the evening. France and Ireland have won all their games, Canada and Romania have lost all their games, Italy are scrapping around in the middle.

And that makes today's permutations quite simple. Ireland are through if they avoid defeat. Italy are out if they do not win.

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One corner of east London is having an Irish-themed party. And if you're not wearing green then you ain't coming in. The Olympic Park is packed with Irish fans - it is like a home game for Joe Schmidt's side.

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And that takes us back to that 11-lettered, four-syllabled word which can be heavier than a Toulouse pack...expectation.

Because Ireland - the best team in the northern hemisphere - are not only expected by many of their supporters to cruise into the last eight, but also to reach the last four.

Ireland have already picked off Canada and Romania with consummate ease, are fancied to do the same against Italy today, thus setting up an almighty scrap with France for the right to top Pool D.

That honour, of course, would mean avoiding the All Blacks in the last eight, setting up an easy path into the semi-finals. In theory at least...

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But we've been here before, haven't we? Ireland's 'golden generation' were expected to go deep into the 2007 World Cup - then got pitched alongside France and Argentina in that tournament's Group of Death. And Eddie O'Sullivan's side were bludgeoned by their pool rivals.

Failure to reach the knockout stage in France remains Ireland's worst performance at a World Cup. Eight years later, they will match their best by beating Italy today and reaching the quarter-finals.

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Expectation is omnipresent in elite sport. Expectation from the media. Expectation from your supporters. Expectation from the players themselves.

Some nations have shown they can cope and thrive under this lead-like weight. The All Blacks at the last World Cup, for example. Others, like *cough cough* England, have crumbled.

Ireland, unlike those two examples, are not burdened by being the host nation. But back-to-back Six Nations mean the millions watching from across the Irish Sea - and around the world - are expecting Joe Schmidt's side to produce their nation's best World Cup performance.

Some - gulp - even reckon they are going to win it...

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