The doom and gloom of starting a new four-year cycle
Irish rugby is in mourning this week after an agonising loss in back-to-back World Cups to the All Blacks.
All Blacks Sport News
It's a knockout: Southern hemisphere sides relish RWC format
You can say it came down to the bounce of a ball, the width of a post, being held up over the line but Ireland, once again, found themselves on the wrong side of the result when it really mattered.
New Zealand end Sexton's career with more World Cup woe for Ireland
Three-time champions New Zealand inflicted more World Cup heartbreak on Ireland on Saturday, beating them 28-24 to bring a bitterly disappointing end to Irish captain Johnny Sexton's stellar career.
Player ratings: Aki battles hard as Ireland outplayed
Ireland fell at a familiar fence at the World Cup again, going out 28-24 to New Zealand.
Ireland's RWC dreams ended by clinical New Zealand
A familiar feeling, but one that never gets any easier.
Series win changed Ireland-All Blacks relationship for good
It may have started when Steve Hansen wondered aloud how Ireland would cope with the target on their backs.
Walking tightrope of newfound swagger and old quarter-final baggage
It's all been building up to this. World Cup quarter-final day, Irish rugby's carnival of horrors.
Captain Sam Cane leading as best he can in Richie McCaw's shadow
Sam Cane and Johnny Sexton will shake hands later today in the Stade de France ahead of the coin toss with referee Wayne Barnes, with one captain very aware it could be his last ever game of professional rugby.