Live Commentary: France 9-24 Ireland - as it happened

France and Ireland travelled to Wales to face off in a massive Pool D fixture, with the winner topping the pool.

In the end it was Ireland that ended up the victors in a physical match, meaning that they face Argentina in the quarter-finals.

France will go head to head with New Zealand next weekend.

Catch up on all the live commentary below.

6.41pmThat's it from me guys but stick around for live commentary of the Japan v USA match.

6.41pmHere's Sian with the final word: "So there we have it, Ireland progress to the quarter-finals as Pool D winners! It was a superb second half display, with the team peaking at the right moments to secure the win, aided by a passionate crowd in Cardiff. It really has been a terrific atmosphere!"

6.40pmThat's it guys! Ireland top Pool D and progress to face Argentina. France will now have to play New Zealand.

6.38pmFULL-TIME! France 9 - 24 Ireland

80 minThat sums up their performance. Picamoles has a two-one-one off the scrum but Spedding can only knock on. Game over.

79 minIreland are just playing keep ball in the French half now but they end up knocking on. Last play of the game.

78 minThe French knock on from the restart and Irelabd win a penalty from the resulting scrum. Those French lads look out of it now.

76 minHe slots it. Surely that's the game.

76 minPENALTY! France 9 - 24 Ireland (Madigan)

74 minAnd they win the penalty. Madigan points to the posts.

74 minIt's scrappy again in midfield and Ireland win the scrum.

72 minEvery forward must have carried at least once then.

72 minIreland rumble through the forwards off the lineout, it's dominant, it's physical and eventually Murray is on hand to place the ball against the post. Madigan converts.

71 minTRY! France 9 - 21 Ireland (Murray)

70 minIreland have a lineout in the French 22.

69 minFrance are penalised for crossing so let's see what Sian thinks of the contest so far: "If Ireland had the first 20 minutes of the second half, it looks like France are doing everything in their power to make sure they're the better team in the final 20. Morgan Parra's kick has closed the gap, leaving them just a try behind, but Les Bleus are starting to build some possession in Ireland territory again. Ireland will need a bigger lead than this if they're going to finish top in Pool D."

68 minIreland win the scrum but Kearney can only slice the ball away.

67 minThese French subs are making an impact and Dulin breaks down the far side. The ball is recycled but Parra knocks on - this is really scrappy from the French now.

66 minFrance have a lineout and although it's scrappy, Jack McGrath is penalised for a high tackle on Parra.

64 minUh oh. Earls has to go off with an injury and Luke Fitzgerald is on.

63 minStraight through the middle.

63 minPENALTY! France 9 - 14 Ireland (Parra)

62 minPicamoles smashes in and it's another penalty. Morgan Parra, just on, kicks for goal.

61 minHeaslip is penalised for holding on though and Spedding clears.

61 minHenshaw is looking lively in midfield and Ireland are making yards again,

59 minThe use Basta off the lineout again but again, it's turned over and Madigan clears his lines.

57 minFrance win another penalty in midfield and they kick for touch.

56 minRory Best is eventually penalised for blocking though.

55 minIreland are knocking away in midfield again through Healy, Earls and Henry.

54 minMore bad news for Ireland. The stretcher is now required for Peter O'Mahoney and Chris Henry comes on in his place.

54 minHere's our Sian: "Well you certainly have to say that has been coming since the restart. Ireland have had all the meaningful possession in this second half, and make it count with a real team effort setting up Rob Kearney for a leap over in the right corner. It's a real party atmosphere in the Millennium Stadium now, the whole ground is shaking as the Ireland fans go wild!"

54 minIreland look to score again but Iain Henderson can only knock on as he finds half a gap.

53 minThe two sides trade possession after the restart and as France try and run it from deep, Dusautoir drops the ball.

51 minBowe takes another inside line off the scrum, the forwards pick and go before Murray passes blind to find Rob Kearney who goes over. Madigan misses the conversion.

50 minTRY! France 6 - 14 Ireland (Rob Kearney)

49 minAnd they make use of it! Henshaw smashes past the gain-line and his pass outside finds Bowe who ships it to Rob Kearney. The ball is recycled but a French hand is in there to knock it on.

48 minIreland have a scrum just inside the halfway line.

47 minLet's see what Sian says in this third quarter: "There's been a real intensity about Ireland in the opening couple of minutes of the second half, perhaps with the added incentive that they now have to do this for their injured skipper, who has not returned for the second period. Tommy Bowe and Dave Kearney both try to work the ball forward, but France hold on. With the sides so closely matched in the first half, scoring the opening try could be decisive."

46 minThe ball is recycled well but again, France hold firm and Healy knocks just outside of the 22.

45 minIreland win the lineout though and Dave Kearney surges into the French 22.

44 minToner gives away a penalty though and the French kick to touch.

43 minIt's the French's turn to go wide but Dulin's chip through is easily dealt with and Kearney kicks it deep.

42 minThat was close. The French defence finally splits and with an overlap in front of him, O'Brien can only knock out with Dave Kearney free outside him.

42 minFrance clear but Ireland's backs are going through the phases in midfield.

41 minMadigan sends an early cross kick Bowe's way but it has just a little bit too much on it.

41 minWe're back underway for the second half!

5.41pmO'Brien will be in trouble after the match too. That Pape injury early on was caused after the Irish flanker gave him a solid right hook in the ribs. That's going to be a fairly lengthy ban.

5.39pmO'Connell had to receive oxygen on the field after the rest of the players left, before eventually leaving via a stretcher. He looks to have twisted his knee in a ruck and that could be his tournament over.

5.36pmLet's see what Sian has to say at half-time: "We're still waiting for the first try in this gripping encounter, but it feels like it's coming as both sides seem to be finding their rhythms. Tommy Bowe's run for Ireland a few moments ago deserved better than a drop from Earls, while Wesley Fofana thought he was in for France, only to turn around as see Nigel Owens signalling for a scrum. This match has been building slowly, but it feels like it's about to explode into life."

5.33pmThat's the half but there's further bad news for Ireland as O'Connell is down on the floor as Owens blows his whistle. It looks bad.

40 minHALF-TIME!

40 minSo much effort from France but Ireland are holding on and Damien Chouly is penalised for holding on.

40 minSpedding makes some big yards down the far side and France are in a dangerous position.

39 minHenshaw eventually skews a poor kick away and Spedding pumps it downfield. Madigan tries to kick it back but he overcooks it and it goes dead.

39 minBest, O'Mahoney, Rob Kearney and Healy all carry hard but there's still no way through.

38 minFrance clear but Henshaw and Heaslip are rumbling forwards. Madigan flings it out to Henshaw again but France are holding firm.

36 minO'Brien makes big yards off that lineout and quick ball sees Madigan knocks a lovely kick into touch just five metres out.

35 minGuirado is penalised for holding on though. It's Jamie Heaslip who has the won that penalty.

34 minThe French win the scrum though and they are in the Irish 22.

33 minFofana ends up under the posts but France have knocked it on in the lineout.

32 minIreland have to attack from deep but the French defence is fierce and there's no way through. France eventually win the penalty and clear to touch.

31 minNo! Ireland run a superb move in midfield that sees Bowe break on the inside shoulder. He has a two-on-one with Earls but the centre can only juggle the ball and spill it.

30 minIt's gone long though and Brice Dulin smashes it clear.

29 minMurray hoists up the box kick and Noa Nakaitaci is penalised for obstructing Tommy Bowe as he looks to go up for it. Ireland kick to within 10 metres out.

28 minAnd he nails it.

28 minPENALTY! France 6 - 9 Ireland (Madigan)

27 minPape gives away a penalty on his 10 metre line and new boy Madigan is going for the posts.

26 minRob Kearney attacks the ball from deep and Ireland go through the phases in midfield through Toner and Healy.

25 minSexton is down after copping a big hit from Picamoles and he's having to go off actually. Ian Madigan comes on after 25 minutes.

25 minHere's Sian: "There really has been very little to separate the two sides in the opening 20 minutes or so, as is reflected in the scoreline. France looks the more likely of the two on the break, but Ireland have produced a couple of promising runs themselves. France continue to be pretty wasteful though. Meanwhile, there could be a problem for the Irish as Jonny Sexton has gone down, and seems to be holding his ribs. They won't want him to go off!"

25 minSean O'Brien is up quick on Bastareaud though and the big centre knocks on.

24 minThey spill the ball but Earls's kick is straight to France and they recycle on the halfway line.

23 minKearney spills a box kick from the restart and the French are motoring forward again through Spedding.

22 minThat's been smashed over from about 52 metres out.

22 minPENALTY! France 6 - 6 Ireland (Spedding)

21 minThey pass it wide and Guirado cops a high tackle from O'Mahoney. Spedding's lining up the kick again from just over the halfway line.

21 minThe sides swap possession from the restart and a poor kick from Rob Kearney sees Spedding run forward.

19 minEasy penalty from just outside the 22 for Sexton.

19 minPENALTY! France 3 - 6 Ireland (Sexton)

17 minIreland have the ball from the kick off and surge forward. The pack have the ascendancy and Sexton tries a drop goal that hits the post. The Irish had the advantage though.

15 minThe big fullback smashes it over.

15 minPENALTY! France 3 - 3 Ireland (Spedding)

15 minIreland rip the ball but Thierry Dusautoir is there to rip it back and earn France another long-range effort at goal.

14 minRob Kearney hoists up a Garry Owen from the kick off and the French rumble up in midfield, before Michalak sees half a gap and makes valuable yards.

12 minStraight down the middle from the Irish 10.

12 minPENALTY! France 0 - 3 Ireland (Sexton)

11 minIreland win the lineout and Jonny Sexton tries a little chip over. The French gather but fumble and are penalised for offside. It's now Sexton's turn to try a long-range penalty.

10 minHe hits the post though and Ireland clear their lines.

9 minSpedding steps up for the long-range penalty.

9 minIreland drop the scrum giving the French a penalty. Here's Sian: "There hasn't been all that much to separate the two sides in the opening few minutes of this match, but one obvious difference is the support both sides are receiving - the Irish fans are creating an unbelievable noise in support of their side. There are polite applause for the French, but when Ireland were awarded a scrum a few moments ago, you'd be forgiven for thinking a try had been scored. It really is like a home match for the side in green. There's just been the one points-scoring opportunity to speak of, with Frederic Michalak missing the posts with a nervy-looking slice."

8 minFrance retain possession from Conor Murray's box kick but Ireland knock on while attempting to tackle Mathieu Bastareaud.

7 minLouis Picamoles returns the 22 restart with interest and the French pick and go before firing it wide. Wesley Fofana is bundled into touch though.

5 minShocking connection there and the kick goes nowhere near the posts.

5 minEarls surges forward with O'Connell in support, but Devin Toner is penalised and Michalak is lining up a kick at goal.

4 minRock solid scrum and Ireland are running this from their 22.

4 minFrance have the heavier pack by 13kg but we all know that means nothing.

3 minIreland hold up the rolling French maul from the lineout and they get the put in.

2 minSean O'Brien is penalised for coming in at the side though, and Spedding kicks to the Irish 22 as Pascal Pape receives treatment on his ribs.

2 minRobbie Henshaw and Paul O'Connell are making good headway. They are up to the French 10.

1 minPeter O'Mahoney has ripped that though and Ireland crash it up midfield.

1 minIreland clear it downfield and Scott Spedding runs it back.

1 minNigel Owens is our referee today, and here we go! Michalak kicks off!

4.45pmThe Millennium Stadium meanwhile sounds mental. A real cauldron of noise and passion.

4.45pmIreland, Ireland, la la la la.

4.44pmHere are the anthems. France's is a lovely little jingle, while Ireland's is a bit more patriotic.

4.42pmWe're just five minutes away here from this 2015 Rugby World Cup match, hosted by England, held in Wales.

4.39pmIn the second match of today's rugby extravaganza, Italy beat Romania, but I tell you what, they were made to work for it.

4.36pmThis is Sian's view at the Millennium.

We're at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff for the #RWC2015 Pool D decider between #FRA and #IRE pic.twitter.com/TRDRDVbyKO

— Sports Mole (@SportsMole) October 11, 2015

4.35pmThis is the fourth time that the two teams have met in a World Cup. Ireland have never won any of these encounters.... All change today? I don't think so.

4.33pmKeith Earls meanwhile is Ireland's top try scorer in the history of the World Cup. He has three so far in 2015 and eight overall.

4.32pmFreddie Michalak starts for the French at 10 today. He's their all-time top RWC points scorer with 136.

4.29pmBoth sides's defences will have to hold firm today. France have made an average of 477 metres per match, while Ireland have made 564.

4.25pmIreland: R Kearney, Bowe, Earls, Henshaw, D Kearney, Sexton, Murray; Healy, Best, Ross, Toner, O'Connell (c), O'Mahoney, O'Brien, Heaslip REPLACEMENTS: Strauss, McGrath, White, Henderson, Henry, Reddan, Madigan, Fitzgerald

4.24pmFrance: Spedding, Nakaitaci, Bastareaud, Fofana, Dulin, Michalak, Tillous-Borde; Ben Arous, Guirado, Slimani, Pape, Maestri, Dusautoir (c), Chouly, Picamoles REPLACEMENTS: Kayser, Debaty, Mas, Flanquart, le Roux, Parra, Tales, Dumoulin

4.24pmLet's have a look at today's teams shall we..

4.23pmThis will be the 94th meeting between the two sides. France have won 55 of these while Ireland have won 31. There have been seven draws.

4.21pmThe lovely Sian is the Sports Mole reporter at the Millennium Stadium today. Let's see what she has to say: "It's the Pool D decider, with the winner of this evening's match between France and Ireland avoiding the All Blacks in the last eight. Both teams are already through, but don't expect them to be taking this one easy. When they last met in the Six Nations earlier this year it was a heated affair. Ireland have by far the majority of the support, with green shirts dominating the stands, but the French team have just come out for their warm-up, receiving a huge ovation. It certainly doesn't look like there are many neutrals here!"

4.20pmThe winner of this match won't have an easy ride against Argentina though. Their second-string side smashed Namibia 64-19 earlier.

4.16pmAndy by titanic, I mean titanic. The winner of this match will top Pool D and progress to the quarters to face Argentina. The loser will end up as runner-up and go ahead to play the All Blacks.

4.15pmGood afternoon and welcome to the live commentary of this titanic match between France and Ireland.