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In-form Ireland face three-time champions New Zealand seeking to improve their wretched quarter-final record at the Rugby World Cup.<\/p>\n
The Irish are through to the last eight of the competition for the eighth time but have never progressed beyond it.<\/p>\n
Here, the PA news agency looks back on Ireland\u2019s last five quarter-final matches.<\/p>\n
Following successive last-eight exits to Australia in the first two editions of the tournament, Ireland suffered a similar fate at the hands of France.<\/p>\n
Twenty-six points from the boot of Thierry Lacroix, plus tries from Philippe Saint-Andre and Emile Ntamack, did the damage.<\/p>\n
Eric Elwood\u2019s four penalties were insufficient for Gerry Murphy\u2019s men.<\/p>\n
Ireland lost a quarter-final play-off to Argentina in 1999 before suffering more last-eight frustration against France four years later.<\/p>\n
Les Bleus initially claimed four unanswered tries before Kevin Maggs\u2019 score and two from Brian O\u2019Driscoll salvaged some pride.<\/p>\n
Frederic Michalak also kicked 23 points for the dominant French, who were beaten by eventual champions England in the semi-finals.<\/p>\n
Ireland, who suffered pool-stage elimination in 2007, topped Pool C ahead of Australia before crashing out to their Six Nations rivals.<\/p>\n
Declan Kidney\u2019s side were level at 10-10 early in the second period after Keith Earls\u2019 try and five points from Ronan O\u2019Gara wiped out Wales\u2019 lead.<\/p>\n
But the Irish were second best and had no answer to decisive scores from Mike Phillips and Jonathan Davies.<\/p>\n
Injury-ravaged Ireland were savaged by the Pumas.<\/p>\n
Without influential performers Paul O\u2019Connell, Johnny Sexton, Peter O\u2019Mahony, Sean O\u2019Brien and Jared Payne, the stunned Irish trailed 17-0 inside 13 minutes.<\/p>\n
Tries from Luke Fitzgerald and Jordi Murphy cut the deficit to just three points but four-try Argentina emphatically prevented a fight back to claim a famous win.<\/p>\n
Optimism was high ahead of Ireland\u2019s trip to Japan four years ago. Yet head coach Joe Schmidt endured a torrid farewell as his side were ripped apart by the reigning champions.<\/p>\n
The merciless All Blacks ran in seven tries on a punishing evening for their error-strewn opponents.<\/p>\n
Robbie Henshaw\u2019s score and a penalty try were scant consolation as Ireland suffered their heaviest World Cup loss.<\/p>\n