Eddie O'Sullivan today rounded on the critics calling for his head by declaring they have short memories as he restated his determination to continue as Ireland coach.

O'Sullivan has presided over Ireland's worst World Cup since the tournament began 20 years ago with the squad returning home tomorrow after failing to qualify for the quarter-finals.

Anger and disillusionment has gripped fans who arrived in France with such high expectations only to see their heroes stagger from one debacle to another — and the mood back home is equally dark.

Inevitably O'Sullivan has been thrust into the firing line and while the IRFU have not been as hasty as their Welsh counterparts in sacking their coach, the pressure is on.

Comedian Risteard Cooper, who has been writing a regular column on the tournament for The Irish  Times, gatecrashed today's press conference on behalf of a television network and enquired in a heavy French accent whether O'Sullivan had become a "croque monsieur".

His gag drew a forced grin from O'Sullivan, who was saved by the timely intervention of his press minder, but the damage had been done and the clear message was open season had been declared on Ireland's coach.

After awarding him a new four-year contract only a week before the World Cup began, the IRFU find themselves in a difficult position if they do decide to follow Wales's lead and pull the trigger.

But a defiant O'Sullivan has no intention quitting, instead reminding his detractors of the success he has brought to Irish rugby.

"I wouldn't agree with the statement it's time to change either myself of any of the coaching team," he said. "I've a contract with the IRFU that runs for another four years and I intend to see that out.

"The World Cup hasn't gone well but I still feel that there's no doubt I have the appetite for this job and that this team can get back to where they were only five months ago.

"I suppose memories are very short in this business and it's been highlighted that things have gone wrong for us at a time when there's huge exposure.

"If I didn't think that I had the ability to take the team forward, I wouldn't take the job on. I have the appetite and the energy for this job."

One of the accusations levelled at the Irish management has been that their failure to let the players off the leash damaged morale.

Many of the squad were disenchanted by the isolated and drab location of the team hotel in Bordeaux, while the astonishing number of rumours that surrounded the camp also took its toll.

It had been suggested a few nights on the town might have lifted spirits during moments of despair, but O'Sullivan branded the idea "absolute nonsense".

"The players are not wrapped in cotton wool. If you'd seen the training sessions that we do there's no cotton wool involved," he said.

"What they do get is the support from the medical staff and the IRFU to make sure that they've a chance to give their best performances.

"On whether they should be able to let their hair down, this is sport but it's professional sport — let's be honest now. And what professional sport is judged upon is winning and losing.

"These guys are competitive and I can tell you that there's nothing they enjoy more than winning matches and playing well. That's their goal and that's where they get their enjoyment from. So when they don't play well and don't win matches there's no enjoyment for them.

"The enjoyment and craic for a rugby player is performing well and winning. It's not going down for a kick-around in the park.

"And what fellas do when that pressure comes on is they work harder. They want to fix it and make it right. That's what we tried to do. I know that there were suggestions that they should have relaxed more, gone out more and gone on the lash a bit.

"But in this environment that is absolute nonsense. It doesn't solve anything."

O'Sullivan denied Ireland's World Cup had been a disaster and insisted there had been no lack of commitment or effort throughout the tournament.

"We're very disappointed for the fans, as much as ourselves," he said.

"We came to this World Cup with very high hopes and expectations and those expectations were well-founded.

"They were based on the fact that we played some great rugby in the last year. Unfortunately we haven't reproduced that form in the tournament.

"That's been hugely disappointing for us. It hasn't been for the lack of blood, sweat and tears from the lads. We have to factor into that we were coming into a pool that was regarded as the most difficult in the tournament.

"I wouldn't use the word disaster — I think very disappointing is fairer."