Next week's game versus France will now determine where Ireland finish in Pool D: we have a guaranteed place in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals following our win over Italy. 

This evening's game was rarely pretty, but it was ultimately job done by Joe Schmidt's men – they won by 16 points to 9 at London's Olympic Stadium.

Keith Earls scored the only try of the game on the 19th-minute.

Atmosphere is building nicely outside the Olympic Stadium. #sportlive #IREvITA pic.twitter.com/IsV9rHxNVD

— Shaun Cronin (@ShaunCronin7) October 4, 2015

Ireland remain top of the table in their group – ahead of second-placed France on points difference.

The Boys In Green had been expected to win comfortably, but faced an Azzuri squad in dramatically improved form. Indeed, the Italians arguably played their best rugby in a long time.

Italy have been superb at making a superb Ireland team look average. #IREvITA

— Jarlath Regan (@Jarlath) October 4, 2015

Ireland faced more than one hairy moment, and in the end Johnny Sexton was relieved to kick the ball into touch to sound the final whistle.

And while he'll have plenty to address before next-week's decider, Joe Schmidt will at least be content to come through today's contest without any serious injury worries. 

Next Sunday, the team return to the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff – where they opened their World Cup campaign with a win over Canada on September 18 – in the final game of the Pool D group stages.