So, Ireland overpowered France, which sets up a quarter final between New Zealand and France in Cardiff - the same fixture that led to New Zealand's greatest World Cup embarrassment in 2007. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous, but as soon as that prospect became a possibility New Zealand rugby figures have talked about it in the sense of "bring it in". I think there's a sense of unfinished business.
And poor Japan become the first country to win three pool games without progressing to the quarters. Hardly seems fair after their impressive performance, and captures the vast importance of getting bonus points, but for the first time they've qualified automatically for the next World Cup (though they would have anyway, being hosts!). Georgia have also secured their first automatic qualification, which is great. Astonishingly, none of the Pacific powerhouses have - Fiji, Samoa, Tonga all missed out, Fiji because they were stuck in the group of death and the other two because they performed like shit, especially Samoa.