Four wins and top spot in Pool D. Two ignominious defeats and a rancorous blame game.
So of course Ireland and England merit equal representation in the Daily Telegraph’s Team of the Rugby World Cup pool stages.
Yes, as Ireland march on into the last eight with a 100 per cent record, only Sean O’Brien has merited inclusion in the XV chosen by the English newspaper, while host nation winger Anthony Watson can at least hold up his selection as he watches the quarter-finals from his couch.
Even more surprising is the presence of a pair of Canadians, DTH van der Merwe and Ciaran Hearn, matching the haul of the mighty All Blacks.
There are no Welsh or Scots in the side, with the impressive Australian performances in topping Pool A earning them seven places in the line-up, including for former Leinster lock Kane Douglas.
In praising O’Brien, writer Steve James hailed his ‘astonishing’ performance against France.
Meanwhile, England retailers have been quick to try and cut their losses after the team’s World Cup implosion.
The expected bumper sales of team paraphernalia has been brought to a shuddering halt, leading to scenes like this across the country.
Thanks to Ciaran O’Sullivan for sending this picture our way. If you have any pieces of content you’d like to share with us, hit us up on Facebook or Twitter or send us an email at editorial@SportsJOE.ie.
