Italy say goodbye, Ireland say hello. To the quarter-finals of the World Cup of course. And it is also time for us to say cheerio - until Tuesday when the World Cup resumes with Canada v Romania and Uruguay v Fiji.

And talking of farewells, a big-name Premier League football manager is leaving his job. Who? Head over to our live reaction page to find out...

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt on next weekend's table-topping clash against France: "France are another level up - we will have to raise our game again. We work on that this week and hopefully we can come up with the goods."

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt: "That game was exactly what we expected. We have been allowed to cruise through the first two games and it was shock to the system to come against a tier one side who needed to win to stay in the tournament.

"I said last week we'd take a one-point win, so a seven-point win is good enough."

• Ireland have now won 20 of their last 21 games against Italy
• However, this was Ireland’s narrowest victory over the Azzurri since February 2011 having won by 23+ points in each of their four wins since then

Sorry for sounding like a broken record but it is important. Very important. Ireland's win books their place in the quarter-finals, while Italy's wait to reach the knockout stage for the first time goes on. And here's the confirmation....

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Rex Features

Ireland shaded most departments against Italy, but one stat really jumps out - at the line-out. No pun intended there...

The Italians failed to collect 12 of their 17 throws, while Ireland continued their impeccable line-out record in the tournament - winning all 10 of their attempts.

Nail on head. Former Welsh international Scott Quinnell sums up the Ireland result rather succinctly.

Image source, Reuters

Ireland captain Paul O'Connell: "We have won and are into the quarter-finals,  that's the bonus. It was a disappointing performance, very inaccurate, and we have put too much ball down. When we do that we can't play our game and it interrupted our rhythm. A great try-saving tackle from Peter O'Mahony saved the game for us.

"It is going to be a massive game against France, who are playing good rugby. We have to massively improve from this performance."

The Irish also made more metres (386-300), made more carries (126-105) and beat more defenders (20-10).

The one stat that Italy did dominate was the number of tackles made - 146 to Ireland's 90.

It may have been a hard-fought win for Joe Schmidt's men, but it was a win nonetheless.

Image source, Opta

The full-time action areas suggest that, while Italy kept them honest, Ireland deserved their victory, with 57% of the possession and having had the better of the territory.

David Humphreys
Former Ireland fly-half on Radil Ulster

The win is the important thing. It is three wins out of three and Ireland are in good shape going into the final pool game against France. Next Sunday's game is absolutely huge. They have both qualified and the aim now is to avoid the All Blacks.

Image source, AP

The Irish victory means Joe Schmidt's men are assured of a place in the quarter-finals. And that sets up a humdinger of a final game against France - the winner taking the group and avoiding the All Blacks in the last eight.

No such luck for the Italians though. The Azzurri are heading home. After their final Pool D match against Romania of course.

Image source, Reuters

And that's it - all over! Johnny Sexton receives the ball and sticks his boot straight through it to find touch. Ireland needed to win - by hook or by crook - and that is exactly what they have done.

This to seal the match then. But Ireland fly-half Johnny Sexton drags the kick left of the posts. Don't worry too much though, Ireland fans, there are just seconds left on the clock...

Image source, Rex Features

Zebo is in the thick of the forward running, but then wastefully throws a forward pass as he looks for Tommy Bowe in support. Hang on - the referee doesn't give it! And then Italy give away a kickable penalty for obstruction...

Untidy stuff from the Ireland pack allows Italy to counter down the right flank, but an offload goes stray and allows Simon Zebo to gather. Chance gone. And that sets up an Ireland attack...

Denis Hickie
Former Ireland winger on BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, AFP

"Ireland haven't clicked and they haven't looked like a team that can go on and win the World Cup. It just hasn't really happened for them today."

Image source, Getty Images

How are your nerves Ireland fans? A poor throw from Italy hooker David Giazzon goes long over his team-mates, allowing Johnny Sexton to hammer clear into touch and ease the pressure.