O'Sullivan got a new four-year contract before the tournament

After Ireland's 25-3 defeat by France, the coach has insisted that the inquest into the team's results should not open until after the tournament.

"The IRFU gave me the four years because they want me to do the job for four years," said O'Sullivan.

The coach was given his four-year contract extension last month.

The new deal raised eyebrows when it was first announced, but the baffling timing now looks even more premature following three poor displays.

Questioned on the contract for the first time during the World Cup, O'Sullivan insisted on Saturday there would be no knee-jerk reactions to events of the past two weeks.

"Everyone knew this was the toughest pool in the World Cup - and we're not out of the tournament yet.

"Maybe we should wait for the requiem until we're out of it. For now its onwards and upwards and we'll leave the review until after the tournament."

We can score five tries against Argentina. It won't be easy, but it's possible Eddie O'Sullivan

Few are backing Ireland to upset Argentina on the final day of the group stages, let alone secure the try-scoring bonus point which will keep Irish hopes alive.

O'Sullivan hoped the sloppy, error-strewn victories over Namibia and Georgia were just aberrations, but against France it was more of the same for the most part.

Tired, stale and disillusioned, by the end of the night Ireland looked a side that has been together too long, and an appalling World Cup will surely have brought a conclusion to some careers.

The permutations required against Argentina look beyond them but O'Sullivan is refusing to give up hope.

"We have a mountain to climb against Argentina, there's no doubt about that. We have a week to figure out how to go about that one," he said.

"We can score five tries against Argentina. It won't be easy, but it's possible.

"People outside the camp may have given up hope but inside the camp we haven't. The players are very disappointed but we'll get them back on their feet."