The week in tweets

The Rugby World Cup in Japan and Ireland ignominious exit at the quarter-final stage yet again was the big talking point on the Twitter machine last weekend...

Brian O’Driscoll @BrianODriscoll

Missed the mark on tonight’s game quite considerably but that was one hell of an @AllBlacks performance. As good as they’ve been since their triumph in RWC 2015. Tough one to take for our boys but no shortage of effort put in. Beaten by a much better team on the day.

Tommy Bowe @TommyBowe Gutted for Rory, such a tough way to end but what a career he has had! A true great Irish player and captain! John Duggan @JohnDugganSport

Feel sorry for Joe Schmidt, who has been our greatest rugby coach, and for the players that put in so much effort. The reality though is that this is professional sport and we got slaughtered by a brilliant New Zealand. No need for hype, or for a wailing postmortem. Just move on.

Sinéad Kissane @sineadkissane We saw a new trend of firsts

under Joe Schmidt: - record defeat to England in Aug; - first defeat to Japan; - record defeat in World Cup game. The Schmidt shelf-life ended 11 months ago & was brutally exposed on an all black day for Ireland rugby.

Darren Cave @darrencave13

Gutted for Joe Schmidt and for Rory Best. The most successful coach/captain combination in the history of Irish Rugby. I hope they are remembered for what they achieved, rather than what they did not.

Kieran Cunningham @KCsixtyseven Mazars or Genesis for the review? Jean-Marié Stander @JMNeethling

As if it isn’t gutting enough for the players’ & coaches’ hard work & sacrifices over 4+ years not to be reflected in their overall performance this year... i find the media reaction from “our very own” quite disrespectful... talk about kicking someone when they’re down.

Josh van der Flier @joshvdf Disappointing way to end our World Cup campaign. It’s been an unforgettable experience and one I will always

cherish. Thanks for all the amazing support at home and over in Japan. Incredibly proud to be Irish and honoured to have been a part of this team. Arigatou gozaimasu

Nate Rarere @oldmannato That first 40 minutes was New Zealand getting revenge on Ireland for that time that U2 downloaded that album onto our iPhones without asking Rúaidhrí O’Connor @RuaidhriOC Ireland now two points shy of the 43 they shipped in the quarter-finals two years ago. What a shambles