PARIS – Ireland is through to the quarter-finals. Were they ever in any danger? Mathematically it was possible, but rugby isn’t a game of maths.

Rugby is a game of movement, running lines, accuracy and speed at the breakdown, a rock solid defence with spacing and ruck pressure, set-piece precision and kicking smarts. Unlike Australia’s World Cup campaign, Ireland has it all. Their game finetuned over years, not months.

The scoreboard and all the relevant statistics revealed the story on Saturday evening as Ireland sealed an emphatic 36-14 victory over their Six Nations rivals Scotland to finish on top spot of Pool B and set up a dream quarter-final clash against the All Blacks next Saturday (Sunday, 6am AEDT). Host nation France meanwhile will take on the reigning world champions South Africa a day later (Monday, 6am AEDT).

It means the best four nations in the world, at least from a rankings perspective, have made the quarter-finals. Only two will go through to the last four.

Ireland celebrate after Hugo Keenan scored against Scotland at the Stade de France in Paris. (Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Yet, Irish coach Andy Farrell will be sweating over the fitness of former Brumbies and Australian under-20s star Mack Hansen, who was initially forced off for a Head Injury Assessment before his evening ended shortly after he returned because of a possible calf injury.

Despite having Keith Earls and Jimmy O’Brien up their sleeves, it will leave Ireland nervous because Hansen has quickly emerged as one of Farrell’s key men since joining Connacht after the Covid pandemic. Already Robbie Henshaw – the brilliant centre – is set to miss the rest of the campaign after an injury throughout the week at training.

Hansen’s work-rate ahead of James Lowe’s opening try of the evening in the second minute revealed it all, as he made his way from one wing to the middle of the field to support Garry Ringrose’s ball.

While Scotland enjoyed much of the early running, they could do little with it. Despite Finn Russell’s willingness to play with width, his side failed to get any real ascendency against a hungry Irish side.

In stark contrast, every movement of Ireland’s was delivered with such breathtaking mastery as Johnny Sexton played as if he was a conductor of an orchestra.

So commanding was his performance, and how important he is in Ireland’s quest to not just rid their quarter-final demons but win the World Cup, he was able to come off after 45 minutes. At the time, Ireland led 31-0.

Much like in 2015 when the Wallabies were popular and they made Twickenham a home away from home on their way to the World Cup final, Ireland is doing the same with the Stade de France.

Peter O’Mahony clashes with George Turner, Matt Fagerson and Duhan van der Merwe of Scotland during Ireland’s big win at the Stade de France on October 07, 2023 in Paris. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

A fortnight ago the Olympic Stadium was a stadium of green during their takedown of South Africa. You would have hardly known that they were taking on a different nation on Saturday, as the 78,459 fans that showed up once again resembled a green coliseum.

Ireland will need every bit of that colour in a week’s time when they take on the All Blacks, as they attempt to end their wretched run of early World Cup exits.

They have form on their side.

Not since July 2022 have Ireland lost, with their last defeat coming against the All Blacks at Eden Park on July 2. The defeat was Ireland’s only one in New Zealand, as they came from behind to seal a remarkable 2-1 series victory in the Shaky Isles.

Since then, Ireland has gone onto win 17 straight. Victory over the All Blacks next weekend will see them equal New Zealand and England’s world record of 18 straight Tests. It will be their greatest Test win if they can triumph in Paris.

Scotland coach Gregor Townsend tipped his hat to Ireland, saying they were “very impressive” and could “dominate the world for the next five to 10 years” despite acknowledging the continual threats of France, South Africa and New Zealand.

Ireland, for now, will just want to dominate the next three weeks.

As Peter O’Mahony inspired Ireland’s scintillating first half where they raced out to a 26-0 lead, nothing went right for Scotland.

Within 20 minutes they had lost their fullback Blair Kinghorn, who had boldly declared ahead of the fixture they would snap their run against Ireland, to a HIA. He was joined on the sidelines shortly after by captain Jamie Ritchie, who was wearing a sling when he spoke to the media following the match.

Jamie Ritchie reacts after leaving the field at Stade de France on October 07, 2023 in Paris. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Scotland needed to strike early and strike hard. They did neither, as Ireland pushed Scotland back in defence and cut them to pieces like a knife through butter in attack.

After Lowe’s early try, Scotland couldn’t turn pressure into points. Adding to the frustration, they turned down shots at goal to try and get seven. They left with nothing.

Soon after it was Ireland back on the attack, as O’Mahony nearly sent Hansen over.

His fumble didn’t matter, as another subline line from Bundee Aki had Ringrose running off his shoulder and the centre put his excellent fullback Hugo Keenan over to score.

Lock Iain Henderson had Ireland’s third after 32 minutes, before Keegan’s second just before half time saw Ireland open up a 26-0 half-time lead.

They didn’t slow down after half-time, as Dan Sheenan scored moments after Scotland’s replacement fullback Ollie Smith put his foot in it by attempting a trip on Sexton. The moment made him Paris’ ultimate villain, and earned him 10 minutes in the sin bin.

Ringrose’s try just before the hour-mark continued Ireland’s rout, before Scotland hit back through tries to Ewan Ashman and Ali Price.

But for all Scotland’s desire, they were a clear second best as Zombie rang out loud.