Ronan O'Gara goes against the grain with World Cup prediction that bodes well for Ireland

NEVER one afraid to stand out from the crowd, Ronan O'Gara has predicted that there are only THREE countries that can win the World Cup.

Virtually every other expert has stated that Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand and France are clearly a cut above the rest.

However, the La Rochelle coach went against this established groupthink while previewing the tournament on Off the Ball Breakfast.

Initially he was speaking in the context of past failed efforts that he was involved in as a player.

He then shifted the conversation to the here and now and how the Irish team ought to be better prepared to make a real run at winning it this time.

He said: "I think the mentality has changed hugely and every time you're involved with something like a World Cup you get better or worse or stay the same.

"And the Irish team has definitely gotten better. That would lead you to be optimistic.

"I think they're one of three teams that can win this World Cup along with France and South Africa."

Unfortunately he didn't specify why he doesn't feel New Zealand belong in that elite tier but he did go into detail on the matter in his Irish Examiner column if you happen to be a subscriber with them.

But parsing through the rest of his OTB interview, he did later expand on why he believes Ireland's outlook and sense of self within the world rugby pecking order has changed sufficiently to flip the script from previous competitions.

He added: "When you're outside Ireland you get the real version of how we're viewed.

"And people snigger at us over our World Cup record which I get.

"It would be great to change that and now we'll see where Ireland are at.

"Obviously 2015 and 2019 didn't go well.

"And now, this team is different obviously but the big test lies in the next two months.

"Winning a Grand Slam is fantastic but everything has progressed and everyone would agree that we'd want to be judged on a World Cup.

"This is where this team will ultimately be judged."

NEW DAWN?

New Zealand, with whom Joe Schmidt is installed as attack coach, did suffer their biggest-ever defeat last week.

An imposing Springbok line-up (even by their standards as seven of their eight subs were forwards) demolished them 35-7 in Twickenham.

But with France missing several front-line stars for Friday's mouth-watering tournament opener, you'd be a fool to write their chances off completely.

With the 'big four' all on the same side of the contentious draw, it ensures this edition will see premier match-ups right from the off.

This is not to mention Scotland being in Ireland's pool with the defending champions.

They're viewed by many people as the fifth best team in the world at the moment with another Irish great in Keith Wood going so far as to say he's 'terrified' by the threat they pose.

Here's hoping Andy Farrell's outfit do at least get to encounter either the All Blacks or Les Blues in the quarter-finals as they bid to - for once - live up to their pre-tournament billing.