Stade de France timeline

7.25pm:Ireland squad arrive on to the pitch for their pre-game warm-up to a huge roar even though the stadium is only about one-third full.

7.48:France finish warm-up and head back to the dressingrooms.

7.49:The Ireland players gather in a circle on the pitch and coach Eddie O'Sullivan appears passionately animated as he delivers a few words before the team returns to the dressingroom.

7.58:Teams arrive to pitch side by side, to a deafening din. There must be 35,000 Irish supporters in the stadium.

8.01:Ireland's Call, and there are tears in the eyes of some Irish players, notably Jerry Flannery, Marcus Horan and Ronan O'Gara.

8.04:Referee Chris White signals the start of the match.

8.05:Raphael Ibanez throws crooked in at the first lineout.

8.06:Sebastien Chabal nicks the first Irish throw.

8.08:Julien Bonnaire catches lineout, two phases later Ireland twice penalised.

8.10: Jean-Baptiste Elissalde kicks 18-metre penalty, 3-0.

8.13:O'Gara shapes for drop goal, but puts in up-and-under, Ireland reclaim, but attack ends when Donncha O'Callaghan puts foot in touch.

8.14:Irish outhalf misses penalty attempt from 10-metre line.

8.17:Frédéric Michalak tries to run out, but slips and Brian O'Driscoll grabs a turnover. Andrew Trimble collides with referee White.

8.19:Flannery overthrows O'Callaghan at lineout and Ireland lose a second throw-in.

8.21:Brilliant tackle by Shane Horgan on Clement Poitrenaud saves try.

8.23: Elissalde kicks his second penalty, 6-0. Turnovers are costing Ireland.

8.27:Poor discipline at ruck and Ireland penalised; Elissalde obliges, it's 9-0. Referee White asks O'Gara to moderate his language.

8.32: Ireland penalised for going off feet in French 22 after great line by Paul O'Connell. It's harsh, but you have to play the referee even when he's wrong. Betsen should have been pinged for killing ball.

8.35: Ireland are having to scramble furiously in defence. O'Driscoll covers this time.

8.38:Ireland penalised again, France kick to the corner. Ireland defend well, French are penalised for not releasing.

8.41: Dave Pearson holds out his flag as Ireland are driving a maul and David Wallace is penalised for stamping. Michalak misses from virtually half way.

8.45: O'Gara drops a superb goal, 9-3.

8.48: Horgan and O'Gara mix-up from Traille garryowen.

8.50:Elissalde kicks the penalty, 12-3. Next offence and an Irish player is going in the bin.

Half-time: 12-3.

9.0:Second half starts.

9.08: Lionel Nallet replaces Chabal.

9.12:Great Irish play, Trimble pass to Horan at feet, knock-on.

9.15:Frankie Sheahan on, but Ireland lose another lineout and then give away penalty.

9.18:Elissalde penalty, 15-3. Flannery back on.

9.23:When Trimble moves in from wing, Michalak cleverly kicks to that corner, Vincent Clerc wins race. 20-3.

9.30:O'Connell sin-binned.

9.34:Clerc's second try, again from clever chip, his desire taking him through some inept Irish defence. 25-3.

9.37:Ireland go through 11 phases and then give away penalty, only D'Arcy really breaking the gain-line.

9.39: French maul trundles forward again from lineout.

9.40:O'Connell returns. Crowd are doing their happy, clappy thing while French coach Bernard Laporte empties the bench.

9.42:Traille sent to the bin. It followed a good half-break from O'Driscoll and then Wallace. Ireland kick penalty to touch.

They get to within inches of the line but then a bit guilty of poor control.

9.45:Ireland penalised at a scrum.

9.46:Irish supporters head for the Metro as their team's game disintegrates further.

9.47:It's over in more ways than one, certainly surely for this World Cup.