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O'Sullivan: in charge of Ireland
Home stadium: Lansdowne Road (48,000) is currently being rebuilt, and so the Irish are plying their trade at Croke Park (82,500), traditionally the home of Gaelic games only.
Nickname: The lads from the Emerald Isle
Number of rugby players in the country: 88,418
National rugby website address: www.irishrugby.co.ie
Current national champions: Garryowen
Strengths: The current Irish team has risen to third in the world rankings, its highest ever position, on the back of one of the most all-round talented and settled teams the Emerald Isle has ever produced. But it is the settled nature and experience of the team that is the core strength.
Weaknesses: The front row is still a little too lightweight. And after Vincent Clerc danced through the defence in the final moments to nick what was ultimately the decisive score of the Six Nations, there is a niggling doubt about the big-match temperament as well.
History in the tournament: 1987 - quarter-final, 1991 - quarter-final, 1995 - quarter-final, 1999 - quarter-final play-off, 2003 - quarter-final.
Prediction for this tournament: A bum deal on the draw, with France and Argentina to face, and they could well end up finishing second in their Pool, whereupon they would have to meet New Zealand in the quarter-finals, likely perpetuating their run of last-eight exits. However, this Irish team is made of stern stuff, and should they win their Pool, they should easily make the semi-finals, and could even go all the way... but we think the semi-finals will be it.
Coach: After failing to secure a high-profile coaching position in Ireland, Eddie O'Sullivan moved to America to coach the US Eagles. He was then appointed as the assistant coach of the Irish national side in 1999, and in 2001 as the head coach following the departure of Warren Gatland - the team's fortunes have improved markedly under his guidance ever since. The former Connacht and Ireland U21 coach has moulded his players into genuine World Cup challengers. He has been aided by the fact the current crop of talent is arguably the best ever available to Irish rugby, but his man-management skills and vision have been crucial in taking the side to the next level. O'Sullivan is a popular figure with the players and his attacking brand of rugby has also won him plenty of fans outside the Ireland camp.
Key player: Shortlisted for the 2006 International Rugby Board player of the year award - the only northern hemisphere player among the five nominees - Paul O'Connell's presence grows with each Test. Hard, uncompromising, mobile, an excellent line-out jumper, and destructive ball carrier, the Munster lock is the complete package. Second row is an area of strength for Ireland but O'Connell, who takes over the reigns in the absence of regular captain Brian O'Driscoll, is vital as a player and leader. After a slump in form in 2005, O'Connell has re-established himself as one of the top second-row forwards in Test rugby.
Captain: Brian O'Driscoll, or "BOD" as he commonly known, is an all round God with a rugby ball and the lychpin of the team's midfield. O'Driscoll commands the respect of his team-mates and opposition with his 'never say die' attitude and inspirational play at outside centre. The Dublin-born star first made world headlines when his hat-trick of tries against France in 2000 that guided Ireland to their first win in Paris for 28 years. O'Driscoll captained Ireland for the first time when winning his 31st cap against Australia in November 2002 and took over as skipper of the squad for the 2004 Six Nations after legendary hooker Keith Wood's retirement. In 2005, O'Driscoll became Ireland's first Lions captain since Ciaran Fitzgerald in 1983 but a dislocated shoulder ruined his tour of New Zealand. He returned to full fitness to lead Ireland to two more Triple Crown triumphs in 2006 and 2007, and was named as the Player of the Six Nations in both years. He beat Keith Wood's captaincy record of 36 Tests when Ireland defeated Italy in their last game of the 2007 Six Nations. His try in this year's Six Nations opener against Wales was his 29th in all and he is currently Ireland's joint-top try scorer alongside his Leinster colleague Denis Hickie.
Rising star: Isaac Boss made his full Test debut against Australia in 2006, and showed enough in dreadful conditions to indicate Peter Stringer may finally have competition for the number nine jersey. Stringer will remain first choice scrum-half but Boss, a more rugged player who likes to break around the fringes, is snapping at his heels. The New Zealand-born 26-year-old arrived in Ulster in 2005 following a spell with Waikato in the NPC (now Air New Zealand Cup), and the Hurricanes in the Super 12 (now Super 14), but qualifies for Ireland through his grandmother. Boss is a very colourful character who is always happy to greet fans and sign autographs, he seems to be quiet the hit with his dreadlock mullet!
Team Nemesis: Australia seem to be the thorn in Ireland's four-leaved clover. The Irish have crashed out to the Wallabies in two successive World Cup quarter-finals (1987, 1991) and were unlucky not to win in 2003 against the same opposition in the Pool stages on Australia's home soil (16-17). The same can be said of the French who seem to have more luck than the Irish do when they won their quarter-finals encounters in the 1995 and 2003 World Cups.
Likely headlines: 'Luck of the Irish runs out', 'No more wild rover', 'D'Arcy's Bustle'
Price of a pint: A national average of E3.90
Rugby player/sheep ratio: 1:107.7
