IT’S just as well that Ireland have swapped their Newport base for Cardiff because walking 10 metres will seem like a mile tomorrow after their victory against France in a brutal World Cup clash at the Millennium Stadium.

This week there were some grumblings that their plush Celtic Manor hotel was too spread out with the stroll from the bedrooms to the team room and dining area being too lengthy.

Well, Joe Schmidt’s boys deserve room service after a stunning performance to take the spoils 25-9 and earn a quarter-final showdown with Argentina at the Millennium Stadium next Sunday.

The Irish fans turned the home of Welsh rugby green again and their boys delivered even though the injury curse hitting Warren Gatland’s squad appears to be contagious.

Just like in Wales’ final warm-up against Italy that ended Leigh Halfpenny and Rhys Webb’s World Cup hopes, the Cardiff stretcher was sadly put to use with Paul O’Connell and Peter O’Mahony carted off while Jonny Sexton was helped from the field.

The loss of O’Connell on the brink of half-time was an especially sad sight and surely the end of his glittering Test career. The Toulon-bound Munster icon attempted to walk off despite suffering a knee injury before he sank back to the turf.

Not only are they sweating on that trio but they will surely be without man of the match flanker Sean O’Brien, who will be cited for an off-the-ball punch on Pascal Pape in the very first minute that the officials missed.

France meanwhile not only have New Zealand on Saturday but they have a rapid turnaround as they attempt to repeat their heroics of 2007.

It was 9-6 after a intense first half with Sexton striking two penalties and his replacement Ian Madigan one to a Scott Spedding brace.

Ireland took control after the break despite their big-name losses with Ulster lock Iain Henderson, so impressive in Wales Dublin win in August, having a monstrous game.

Full-back Rob Kearney scored a well-crafted try and France crumbled, scrum-half Conor Murray sealing the deal with a smart try from close range.

Ireland scorers: tries – R Kearney, C Murray; conversion – I Madigan; penalties – J Sexton (2), I Madigan (2)

France scorers: penalties – S Spedding (2), M Parra