Rob Kearney: Ireland are one of seven World Cup contenders

Rob Kearney says Ireland are among “six or seven teams” that are contenders for the Rugby World Cup.

Ireland head into September’s tournament buoyed by back-to-back Six Nations titles and victories over southern hemisphere heavyweights South Africa and Australia last November.

Joe Schimdt’s side are fourth favourites to lift the Webb Ellis Cup but Kearney says their sole focus is on finishing top of Pool D, which also includes France and Italy, and avoiding a potential quarter-final with reigning champions New Zealand.

The full-back told Sky Sports News HQ: “It does look realistic (that Ireland will finish in the top two of their pool). There are some potentially very difficult games but I think the team who has the best chance will be the team that tops that pool.

“If you come second, chances are you’re playing New Zealand with a six-day turnaround, which is a big ask for any team. The team who does top that pool will be heavily advantaged.

If you come second, chances are you’re playing New Zealand with a six-day turnaround, which is a big ask for any team.

“Can we win the World Cup? I think you’ve got six or seven teams now who genuinely do have a chance of winning the tournament.

“As an Ireland team we’ve always said and fully believe that on our day, if we perform to our ability, we can beat any team in the world. We just need a lot of things to go our way. We need to make sure that injury profile wise, we’re not losing too many key players, and on those big days we do get the bounce of the ball.”

Kearney and his Ireland team-mates have been given a month off to “recharge the batteries” and will begin their World Cup preparations on June 28.

“I think we will split some of the time between our club and national camps so it’s going to be pretty intense and gruelling,” said the 29-year-old.

“It’s about making sure that come those warm-up games we’re physically and mentally in as good a position as possible.

“How gruelling? I’ve no idea yet but the guys are pretty well versed to pre-season and the challenges that come with it.”