<P> In qualifying matches, Ireland defeated Russia and Georgia to advance to the 2003 tournament . Ireland finished second to Australia in their pool, and were knocked out by France in the quarter finals . </P> <P> In the 2007 World Cup Ireland played in the so - called "Group of death" with hosts France, Argentina, Namibia and Georgia . Ireland defeated Namibia in their opening game 32--17 . Their progress was then put into doubt when they beat Georgia 14--10, not obtaining a bonus point . Ireland lost to France 25--3 . Entering their last group match against Argentina, needing four tries to secure a bonus point without allowing Argentina anything, Ireland were defeated 30 - 15 and crashed out at the pool stage for the first time . </P> <P> Ireland were in Pool C for the 2011 Rugby World Cup with Australia, Russia, USA and Italy . Their first pool game was against the USA, which ended in a 22--10 victory for Ireland . Ireland's second pool game was against Australia . Despite being underdogs, Ireland recorded their first victory over Australia at a World Cup with a 15--6 win . Ireland comfortably beat Russia 62--12 in their third pool game . Ireland secured first place in the pool with a 36--6 win over Italy, the first time that Ireland were group winners in their World Cup history . Ireland lost their quarter final to Wales 10--22 . </P> <P> Ireland topped Pool D of the 2015 Rugby World Cup with four victories, two with bonus points . They kicked off their campaign with a 50 - 7 win over Canada . Another bonus point victory followed in front of a world record Rugby World Cup crowd of 89,267 at the home of England football, Wembley Stadium . Ireland then saw off Romania 44 - 10 . Ireland then faced Italy, coming out on top 16 - 9, the only try coming from Keith Earls who surpassed Brian O'Driscoll as Ireland's leading Rugby World Cup try scorer with eight . The final pool game saw Ireland face France . The winner would set up a quarter final against Argentina and avoid the All Blacks . Ireland overcame the loss to injury of key players Jonathan Sexton, Peter O'Mahony and Paul O'Connell to run out 24 - 9 winners . The victory set up another game for Ireland in the Millennium Stadium against Pool C runners up Argentina on 18 October 2015 . Ireland battled and came back from a 17 - point deficit to come within 3 points of their opponents, but a series of mistakes spelt the end for Ireland's RWC of 2015 . </P>

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