The story of a delirious, heartbreaking and uplifting Rugby World Cup in tweets

When did it suddenly become winter?

When Ireland set off to Celtic Manor on their Rugby World Cup adventure, there was still some heat in that sun, Joseph Duffy was headlining UFC Dublin and we couldn't even dream of beating Germany in a Euro 2016 Qualifier. Never going to happen. Now, with New Zealand and Australia facing off in the final, in leafy Twickenham, we can only reflect on a tournament that had just about everything... except some Irish history-making. Here are some of our most memorable #RWC2015 moments.

THE NIGHT BEFORE

Best of luck, everyone. https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/644611702013751296  

POOL STAGE

Bad start for ITV https://twitter.com/catbateson/status/644949808621441024?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw ITV commentator Nick Mullins was referring to remarks made by the Fijian coach, before they faced England, but, having offered no context, took the brunt of social media heat for a while. Once it was all sorted, Fijian winger Nemani Naholo offered to share a pint with Mullins. https://twitter.com/nemani_nadolo/status/647164529047175172 Japan stun South Africa and thrill the world The Brave Blossoms weren't settling for no draw as they spurned a kick at the posts to go for victory over the mighty Springboks. It was frantic as hell but they pulled it off in dramatic, added time style. https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/645293361016999936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Paul O'Connell not impressed with his English decor Ireland settled into the English FA headquarters but the bedroom decorations left a lot for Paulie to desire. He tweeted out the link to this Instagram snap: https://instagram.com/p/73j77Flfwj/ The Alton Towers trip more than made up for it. https://twitter.com/ProperChurch/status/647126563549540352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw JP Doyle shows that respect is a two-way street The Irish referee spoke French and pidgin Georgian to get his point across to some of the Georgia players in their Pool C match with Namibia. https://twitter.com/stasbutler/status/647447746727821313?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw https://twitter.com/gallagherbren/status/647447193398456320?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Another reason why pitch invading a rugby game is a bad, bad idea https://twitter.com/menzikulati/status/647927797848125440 Warren Gatland popping up to celebrate Wales' win in front of the English team bus England tried to follow Japan's lead by going for an attacking lineout maul rather than taking a draw. It blew up in their face as Wales counter-mauled and flung them out of play. Never one to gloat, is Gats... https://twitter.com/KennyLogan/status/647898634718191617?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw The only Romanian player to have fond memories of losing 44-10 to Ireland? Florin Surugiu proposed to his girlfriend in front of a rapidly emptying Wembley Stadium. She said yes. He was chuffed. https://twitter.com/GaryTraynor1/status/648197451598405633?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw French players continued to not give a toss about England's travails https://twitter.com/gavinmortimer7/status/648383743758102528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Uruguayan prop Oscar Duran made is all feel a little better about our lives, and girth Pic via @RugbyBanterPag3 A battered Wales beat Fiji but lost more players to injury https://twitter.com/mcgeebers/status/649634315349946368?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Jamie Cudmore's espionage The veteran Canada lock has picked up the lingo in France thanks to his days at Clermont. Some of Les Bleus did not appreciated his eavesdropping joke. https://twitter.com/BeanBagSports/status/649684385806057472 Mamuka Gorgodze learning he won man-of-the-match against New Zealand https://twitter.com/rugbyworldcup/status/650056789413621760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw England trolled HARD after their World Cup exit The tournament hosts were humbled by the Wallabies, forcing apologies from their coach and captain and comedic gold such as this: https://twitter.com/ihearthestia/status/650414638002274304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Diego Maradona showed up to party with Argentina after they defeated Georgia He promised he would be back for the semi-finals but the Pumas would, most likely, have to get past Ireland first... https://twitter.com/rugbyworldcup/status/650734774324035584?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw 'Big time' Johnny Sexton was compared by Zlatan Yep, that actually happened. https://twitter.com/MirrorRowZed/status/653181495994097664 Shane Long's winner against Germany drew high praise from Joe Schmidt The day after Martin O'Neill's side beat the world champions, Schmidt was asked if he had tuned in. "It was a super effort," he replied. "Shane Long's touch and finish was exceptional. You have to take your hat off to that skill." https://twitter.com/DustinOfficial/status/652252943232712704 Secret to New Zealand's success revealed https://twitter.com/USASevensRugby/status/652573580425826304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Fr BOD bowled over by Australia's gutsy win over Wales The Wallabies were down to 13 men at one stage but still defended their line in last-ditch, bruising fashion. Their performance got nearly as many tweets as Brian O'Driscoll's ITV punditry get-up. https://twitter.com/TheMurphstar/status/652913142033354752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Ireland beat France but the physical toll was massive https://twitter.com/fod95/status/653265025591832577 Sean O'Brien didn't help matters His punch on Pascal Papé had the entire Irish nation reading up on citings and throwing around whatever conspiracy theory that would help. https://twitter.com/BetVernons/status/653609372313120768 Rory McIlroy's brilliant response to this troll cheered us up There was no miraculous comeback for Ireland's captain "A significant hamstring injury" ended O'Connell's World Cup, and Irish rugby career. https://twitter.com/IrishRugby/status/653859696441487360 https://twitter.com/BrianODriscoll/status/653871348213776384 ROG summed it up best of all: https://twitter.com/RonanOGara10/status/653894902560989184 Adam Ashley Cooper's touching gesture to a dying friend The Australian winger rushed up to celebrate his side topping Pool A with his old teammate Guy Grinham, who passed away from cancer 48 hours later. https://twitter.com/LorenaLofish/status/659637606695718912

QUARTER FINALS

English prop reminded us why we didn't miss his team one bit https://twitter.com/JoeMarler/status/655309057486671872 No time for tweeting Joe, we've got a quarter final to think of. Duane Vermeulen saves his best 'til last https://twitter.com/patmccarry/status/655428410890522624 Good-looking Martians and pints over on TV3 Shane Byrne wasn't sure if the red light meant the cameras were ON or OFF https://twitter.com/stephencramp/status/655432645208358912

Julian Savea reminds us why he is called 'The Bus'

https://twitter.com/5liveSport/status/655474952087412742 Hopes are high as Irish fans invade Cardiff Fields of Athenry during New Zealand's romp over France? Don't mind if we do. https://twitter.com/SportsJOEdotie/status/655485719390134272 Inspirational stuff. Bring on the Pumas! Sexton out... wheels fall off The Irish out-half pulled out 24 hours before the last eight clash. Ian Madigan steps in but cuts his hair for some unknown reason [possibly that it was getting long]. After 15 brutal minutes, Ireland were 17-0 down. https://twitter.com/Jarlath/status/655721194726010880?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw There was a stirring comeback but it proved a false dawn. Ireland were out. https://twitter.com/BashingDastard/status/655743258526621696?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw Scotland were the Northern Hemisphere's only hope For about two hours. That was until South African Craig Joubert gave a last-minute penalty against them. It was a close call but, as soon as he blew the final whistle, Joubert was not stick around to debate its merits. https://twitter.com/MonstruoJerry/status/656424692723617792

SEMI FINALS

Sonny Bill's sportsmanship The All Blacks centre made a beeline for distraught Springbok Jesse Kriel in the immediate moments after a breathless semi-final encounter. https://twitter.com/SonnyBWilliams/status/658016618463764484 Argentina out swinging, from inside their own 22 For their coach, Daniel Hourcade, it was all too much. https://twitter.com/patmccarry/status/658342229807878145 Another four turnovers for David Pocock, who looked like he'd been attacked with a skillet The Australian has 14 turnovers in the World Cup. No-one else is in double figures. https://twitter.com/patmccarry/status/658654473770913792

THE FINAL

And, now, the final between two sides that have nothing but respect for each other... https://twitter.com/RugbyBanterPag3/status/659568274066141186