Impressive Ireland top group but at a heavy cost

By Mitch Phillips LONDON (Reuters) - Ireland beat France 24-9 in a brutal Cardiff encounter to earn a quarter-final meeting with Argentina, leaving the well-beaten French the daunting prospect of facing New Zealand as the Rugby World Cup's pool phase came to a close on Sunday. In the most eagerly-awaited match outside of Pool A, Ireland overcame their Six Nations rivals for the first time in four World Cup meetings. Ireland have never previously reached the semi-finals but have given themselves