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PARIS - Ireland entered the World Cup as much favoured dark horses for the title but they left it almost under cover of darkness, perhaps the most disappointing of all the so called top tier teams.
If ever a nation's hopes had been raised and then scrubbed out in the dust it was the Irish, and the principal architect and subject of Irish anger is coach Eddie O'Sullivan.
The former maths and science teacher now needs realistically to deliver the Six Nations Grand Slam next time out if he is to survive.
If anything illustrated how low he had slipped in general esteem after limping out at the pool stage, it was the lack of respect shown to him on the day after the defeat to the Pumas that sealed Ireland's World Cup fate.
"Eddie would you say you were a croque monsieur?" asked Irish comedian Risteard Cooper - who was there to make a satirical documentary for national broadcaster RTE - using a play on words with one of France's favoured snacks.
O'Sullivan visibly bristled, but a lot less so than the millions in Ireland who had been promised so much after an outstanding set of performances last autumn and coming within seconds of the Six Nations title but for a last second lapse of focus against the French.
Rumours about the private life of fly-half Ronan O'Gara stemming from a couple of lines in L'Equipe timed in perfect fashion for the lead-up to the pool match with France and a falling out with talented back Geordan Murphy did not do morale any favours.
To many people's disbelief O'Sullivan secured a new four year contract prior to the tournament sowing the seeds of ruin.
"Effectively that gave off a sense of complacency within the squad, that the coach was going to be there for the next cycle and there was little worry over fighting for their places," a brother of one of the Irish squad told AFP under condition of anonymity.
"As soon as Ireland recorded their record victory over England in the Six Nations basically the starting XV believed they were the chosen line-up for the opener at the World Cup...and that just doesn't breed success it is a recipe for disaster."
O'Sullivan though remains convinced that his big-name side will bounce back.
"It is a fair question about whether what we saw at the World Cup from this side suggests they are on an irreversible slide," said O'Sullivan, who has been in charge since replacing his former boss Warren Gatland in 2001.
"However, we must look forward to the next tournament, the Six Nations.
"Can they get back? Yes they can."
- AFP
