Japan’s seismic win in 2019 was not the only meeting between the pair at the global showpiece.
Pool stage meetings also occurred in 1991 and 1995 and there were times during the latter when Japan appeared primed to pull off an upset.
As they looked to bounce back from a trouncing at the hands of a Jonah Lomu inspired New Zealand in their opener, Ireland had led 19-0 midway through the first half in Bloemfontein after scores from David Corkery, Neil Francis and Simon Geoghegan.
They were, however, pegged back to 19-14 at half-time and 26-21 shortly after the restart.
Scores from Eddie Halvey and Niall Hogan, and the second of two penalty tries, eventually made the game safe, but Ireland were still left counting the cost afterwards with the shoulder injury suffered by hooker Keith Wood ruling him out of the remainder of the tournament.
After edging past Wales 24-23 to make the last eight, Ireland were beaten in the quarter-finals by France.
