Ireland have set up a pool D decider against France in Cardiff next week following a hard-fought 16-9 success over Italy yesterday.
The Irish and the French both have 14 points in three wins in the tournament so far and the winner of next week’s clash is likely to avoid the All Blacks in the quarter-finals and play Argentina instead.
Jonny Sexton got Ireland on the board early and Keith Earls crossed mid-way through the first-half but, with Tommaso Allan slotting two penalties either side of the try, Italy were very much in the game trailing only 10-6 at the break.
Allan’ third brought the Azzurri to within a point but two quick penalties from Sexton on the hour gave Ireland some room and they managed to hold on to the win.