Ireland struggling

Coach Eddie O'Sullivan had demanded Ireland put one of the group's whipping boys to the sword but, instead, a disjointed and errorstrewn display will have left him deeply concerned.

Namibia, who have never won a World Cup match and ship an average of 70 points every tournament outing, even dominated a dramatic second half.

Tries for Jacques Nieuwenhuis and Piet van Zyl rewarded the Africans' heroics after the interval and by the end it was Ireland who looked the underprepared band of part-timers.

The World Cup's toughest pool could ultimately be determined by points difference and Ireland may yet rue their failure to dispatch a side France and Argentina will surely put away with ease.

Brian O'Driscoll, Andrew Trimble and Simon Easterby touched down in the first half while a penalty try awarded by French referee Juel Jutge brought up the bonus point.

Namibia won a penalty on the stroke of halftime and with most of the crowd at the Stade Chaban-Delmas willing the ball over, Emile Wessels obliged. But they were back under pressure early in the second half and Jutge responded to two collapsed scrums by awarding Ireland a penalty try.

The final quarter was a different story, however.

Winger Heini Bock slipped through a huge gap in the opposition backline, found Jacques Nieuwenhuis in support and the big blindside thundered over in the 61st minute. Wessels nailed the conversion, then Piet van Zyl touched down just three minutes later.

Wessels added the extras to leave Namibia trailing just 27-17, only for Jerry Flannery's try to deliver a cruel late blow.

The hooker was awarded a controversial late try when replays suggested he failed to ground the ball.

O'Sullivan said: "We got looser as the game went on, we lost our shape and made individual errors. It was a very poor performance and we've got to take a long look at ourselves."