We may seek whatever excuses we like, blame the referee and talk about hard luck, and seek any convenient refuge, but all that will be is an exercise in self-delusion.

Ireland's defeat by Argentina was a striking indictment of the players, and the truth is Ireland got what their performance warranted: defeat. It was, in the context of Ireland's international standing, disastrous.

Quite apart from the fact that it means the end of the World Cup road, it was a huge setback to Irish rugby and one of the greatest disappointments in the game's history here. Now we are left to hope that the Irish provinces will perform well enough in the European Cup to restore our credibility.

Irish rugby has had to endure few, if any, darker occasions than Lens on Wednesday.

Whither the Ireland team and management now? We have been told constantly by the Ireland management for the better part of the last two years that the focus was on preparing for the World Cup. The truth is that in that time we beat one major nation, Wales, in Wembley last season.

Ireland's team of full-time time professionals could not beat a team made up of many part-time players and a country that in recent years has laboured under huge disadvantage because of a shortage of money and the loss of some key players.

We have heard a lot in recent times in the political arena about payback time. Well, Ireland's professional rugby players have most certainly failed to repay the huge investment made in them. Payback time to the Irish supporters and to the parent union has now gone. Remedial action is needed and an urgent case presents itself.

Some of those players who wore the Irish jersey on Wednesday night will be fortunate in the extreme to wear it again. But then we have seen some of them in the comfort zone for too long. The reality is that the Irish performance in Lens was not alone appalling but, quite frankly, unacceptable.

We at one point held a 12-point lead and we could not put the moderate opposition away. We have heard how if this, that and the other had happened it would have been different, that we conceded too many penalties. In fact, David Humphreys kicked seven, as did his opposite number. However eccentric the referee's attitude and application of the laws was, let us call it as it was.

When it mattered, the Argentinians had the passion, commitment, belief and ability to score a splendid try with the kind of creative play that is beyond the wit of this Ireland team when they meet opposition of any kind of quality.

Let us examine some pertinent facts about this Ireland squad. The squad - and I emphasise squad - has been given every possible support and incentive, far greater than at any time in history, far in excess of that available to any if its predecessors. After the Five Nations Championship series, they played Italy. Then they had a tour to Australia. It was the least exacting tour ever undertaken by an Ireland squad. Just four matches. Here was a tremendous chance to build and bond. Then they had a warm-up match against Argentina at Lansdowne Road in August.

After getting into a position from which they should have swamped the opposition, they almost threw that match away. Ah, but it was early in the season, we were told. They then played warm-up matches against Munster - which they lost - and against an Ulster team short 12 first-choice players and barely won.

Against Australia a fortnight ago, Ireland gave a pathetic display, lacking any semblance of character and organisation. But a win over Romania would suffice to get to Lens and a play-off for a quarter-final place against a country that qualified by finishing as the best third-placed team from the five groups. Ireland had the incentive of a home quarter-final tie against France next Sunday with a place in the World Cup semi-final the prize. What an incentive?

In 1987, 1991 and 1995, the Irish amateurs reached the quarter-finals on each occasion. Mind you, in those days we did not trawl the world to bring in players who were not deemed good enough to win caps in their own countries. Some of those we have brought in are no better - if at all better - than Irish players who were ignored. But players who have failed to produce have been selected time after time.

Quick ruck ball, so essential in the modern game, is beyond the Irish forwards. That apart, the three-quarter line, with the exception of Brian O'Driscoll, lacks a creative spark.

The predictable is fodder for an opposing force which is more than capable of dealing with it, and this Ireland side is as predictable as it is ineffective.

RUGBY is now in its fifth season of professionalism, so let us not seek refuge in the old argument about labouring under disadvantage and not nearly enough being done by the IRFU: it just will not wash now. Since 1996 we have won Triple Crowns at schools and under-21 levels, and the under-19 team won the World Championship. Ulster won the European Cup last season. That is scarcely evidence that the structure is at fault. Over 100 players are contracted at provincial level.

Thirteen of those who played on Wednesday night have been playing in the English league. That is the area where some told us our players should be playing and "not wasting their time " playing in this country. Oh dear, oh dear.

Well, we have seen the evidence now.

The current Ireland squad are the £6 million men. That is the annual cost to put this Ireland team in the field. The players' every need is catered for. They have a backup team of experts in every field, from medicine up. Travel and hotel accommodation are top of the range.

There will not be much comfort for the management team in the coming weeks. Too often the Ireland management has been far too indulgent with some players who have not performed. The current players have failed Irish rugby, and the management trio of Donal Lenihan, Philip Danaher and Warren Gatland also have some pertinent questions to answer. Philip Danaher, I understand, had indicated he would be standing aside after the World Cup.

Any coach can work only with the players at his disposal, and Irish rugby and the management have been badly served by this team. But equally, the management has a responsibility to take remedial action when it is obviously needed and also bears responsibility for team preparation and tactics. That is called collective responsibility. Ireland has failed on all counts.