One final hurdle before knock-out rugby. Ireland overcame Russia to secure a bonus-point win but the showing did little to deal with the lingering concerns surrounding Joe Schmidt's team.
The tie was Johnny Sexton's first outing as captain and he shined early on in a showing that included a kick for Peter O'Mahony's try.
"We are delighted to get a good win and get back on the horse after last week," declared Sexton post-match. "The conditions were very difficult, the ball was very slippy. So very pleased to get the five points, lots to work on. Onto Samoa."
Speaking on Eir Sport, former Ireland international Gordon D'Arcy felt today's showing stressed the importance of Sexton to this team.
That to me reinforces Johnny Sexton, the importance of him to this Irish team. By the looks of things, Joey Carbery is not going to be fit. He is out with the same ankle injury. It might be a week, let's not speculate on that.
They are looking at Jack Carty as their second ten and they need to get him up to speed. His team did not help him. He comes on just after half time. Individuals around him who were firing on all cylinders when Johnny was there and suddenly we have dropped balls. We have pressure back on ourselves.
"There just didn't seem to be any real distinct game plan that Ireland were trying to play.
"Handling errors killed it for us" @stringer9 reacts to that Ireland performance. #RWC2019 #IREvRUS pic.twitter.com/A4ZqID73aT
— eir Sport (@eirSport) October 3, 2019
It was a view former Munster coach Jerry Flannery agreed with: "You have to look at both sides of this, first half and second half. Darce is right here, Sexton's effect..."
"I think we are being a little harsh. The first 40 minutes, I thought we were really good.
"The second half, there was definite drop off"@jerryflannery says we need to look at the game as a whole. #RWC2019 #IREvRUS pic.twitter.com/btKjsGrf7g
— eir Sport (@eirSport) October 3, 2019
So it is onto Somoa. Ireland's final pool match is set for Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium on October 12.
