France showed all the qualities of potential World Cup champions on Sunday with a dazzling quarter-final display of power, pace and precision against Ireland.
The French systematically took apart a team who were expected to present a real challenge, winning 43-21 after letting in a late try by Brian O'Driscoll at Melbourne's Docklands Stadium.
They will now meet European champions England, who defeated Wales 28-17 in Brisbane, in next Sunday's semi-final in Sydney. Trans-Tasman rivals Australia, the defending champions, play New Zealand on the previous day.
England's victory, although reasonably comfortable on paper, followed a 10-3 halftime deficit and they scored only one try to Wales's three.
Jonny Wilkinson scored the remainder of their points, ending the game with a drop goal.
In the day's opening game, openside flanker Olivier Magne, one-third of a magnificent backrow, set the tone with a third-minute try after Frederic Michalak kicked the ball deep to the corner.
Their elongated number eight Imanol Harinorodoquy reached high and passed to centre Tony Marsh who fed Magne for the easiest of tries.
INSTRUMENTAL
Magne was also instrumental in the second of France's four tries, snapping up a loose pass by Ronan O'Gara and feeding the third French loose forward Serge Betsen who handed on to Christophe Dominici. The left wing ran 45 metres to score unopposed.
Betsen was in awesome form throughout, tackling with ferocious intent to rock the Irish back on their feet.
"It will take a hell of a team to beat them," said coach Eddie O'Sullivan, whose captain Keith Wood announced his retirement after the game.
"They will go the whole way I believe now. I think France can beat England and England know it."
England, who entered the competition as the world's top-ranked side and full of confidence that they could finally go all the way, were again stumbling and uncertain.
Tries by Stephen Jones and captain Colin Charvis gave Wales a deserved first half lead but the Welsh, who scored four tries against New Zealand last Sunday, then lost their way.
Will Greenwood scored a try after a Jason Robinson break and Wilkinson kept slotting penalties.
Replacement flanker Martyn Williams scored another try for Wales after a clever Dwayne Peel cross kick but England held on to win in their third unconvincing performance of the tournament after laboured wins over South Africa and Samoa.
"They definitely played well in the first half and punished us on the break," said England captain Martin Johnson. "In the second half we dominated but it was too sloppy to be satisfactory."
On Saturday, New Zealand, inspired by flyhalf Carlos Spencer, defeated 1995 champions South Africa 29-9 in Melbourne. Australia beat Scotland 33-16 in Brisbane.
More from rediff