KEY POINTS:
There is no doubt about Ireland's consistency in the World Cup. In five successive tournaments they have made the quarter-finals (even if 1999 was a quarter-final playoff) and then packed their bags as the sorry Shamrocks.
All sorts of optimistic blarney has been trundling out of the Emerald Isles that this will be their year. A settled squad, regular success and three Triple Crowns in four years has raised the hopeometer even more.
The peculiarities of the draw have conspired against the Irish. They are lumped in the Pool of Pain with France and Argentina, three sides in the world's top six of the world rankings.
No wonder Irish coach Eddie O'Sullivan has been talking up the importance of bonus point victories against Namibia and Georgia minnows and collecting as many others to make the playoffs. The pool winner will have a far more palatable quarter-final meeting with either Italy or Scotland.
The runner-up's reward is a quarter-final against the All Blacks in Cardiff which suggests the Irish would be hitting the exit again.
They should have beaten the All Blacks last year in Hamilton, but frittered away their chances and lost 34-23.
Ireland play France then Argentina in their last two pool games and, if they qualify, a quarter-final. That tough schedule suggests they will be homeward bound unless their favoured XV remains intact and produces repeated strong performances.
Judicious use of his full squad, balancing their need for rest and staying battle-tuned for the Tricolores and Pumas will test the coach's tactical acumen, courage and planning.
A massive Irish squad underwent their regular off-season cryotherapy treatment in Poland where their ability to recover from strenuous sessions is helped by short bursts in freezing chambers.
Squads were trimmed regularly from 48 to 37 for a training camp back in Limerick before the chosen 30, named after the second-stringers, lost to Scotland, headed off for a five-day secret camp in Capbreton in south-west France, a game against Bayonne then Italy in Ravenhill before heading for their Cup base in Bordeaux.
O'Sullivan's difficult selection juggles were because he was spoiled for choice in the back and middle rows. He has taken one punt, picking wing Shane Horgan although a knee strain will rule him out of several pool games, while league convert Brian Carney is a wildcard on the other wing.
Among a group of high-quality players, captain Brian O'Driscoll stands out. He has starred at centre for Ireland and the Lions and led his country since Keith Wood retired after the last cup.
Gordon D'Arcy is another quality midfielder, Girvan Dempsey a reliable fullback while Ronan O'Gara is one of the best goalkickers in international rugby and has improved his defence.
Up front are mean men like explosive flanker Denis Leamy and Simon Easterby, Neil Best and David Wallace. They are a quality collection of loose forwards and the same applies to the locking credentials of Paul O'Connell, Donncha O'Callaghan and Malcolm O'Kelly.
O'Sullivan has plenty of power and clout there to mix and match his back five through the early stages of the tournament.
But it is up front where the Irish may feel the heat. Marcus Horan is a multi-skilled loosehead prop but not the most ferocious technician while top-rated tighthead John Hayes will suffer against rugged rival scrummagers from the Pumas, France and New Zealand.
Ireland believe they are well ahead of where they were in Australia four years ago but concede their rivals are too. Can they win? Logic, according to O'Sullivan, says they can because they have beaten most of the top sides in the world. Joining one-off wins in a sustained run of victories will be Ireland's biggest hurdle.
IRELAND
Coach: Eddie O'Sullivan
Backs: Isaac Boss, Brian Carney, Gordon D'Arcy, Girvan Dempsey, Gavin Duffy, Denis Hickie, Shane Horgan, Geordan Murphy, Brian O'Driscoll (captain), Ronan O'Gara, Eoin Reddan, Peter Stringer, Andrew Trimble, Paul Wallace.
Forwards: Neil Best, Rory Best, Simon Best, Simon Easterby, Stephen Ferris, Jerry Flannery, John Hayes, Marcus Horan, Denis Leamy, Donncha O'Callaghan, Paul O'Connell, Malcolm O'Kelly, Alan Quinlan, Frankie Sheahan, David Wallace, Bryan Young.
