Former Wallabies coach tips Ireland as a World Cup favourite

Trying to jinx us all over again.

Former Australia coach Robbie Deans has been praising the trophy-winning actions of the Irish rugby team and tips them to ruffle some feathers at the Rugby World Cup. Deans, who was Wallabies coach when Ireland beat them at the 2011 World Cup, will coach the Barbarians side that will face Joe Schmidt's Six Nations winners at Thomond Park, on May 28. Looking ahead to the match, Deans said, 'Ireland have got a real depth of belief there now and they’ve had some consistency in recent times. They’ve got an experienced group but also a very vibrant group, so they’ll be looking with a lot of confidence towards the World Cup.' Deans also tipped Ireland to go far in 2011 after witnessing his side fall 15-6 to their best ever southern hemisphere performance. The New Zealander believes fellow Kiwi Joe Schmidt can help them to a best ever tournament finish. He commented, 'Essentially, they’ve worked very hard - you can see it in their conditioning - they’ve got a real clarity in the way they want to play the game and it shows. It makes it easy for the playing group to bring what they’ve got to the table. 'It was a good performance against England - it probably surprised a few and that was a good English side - and I think they’ll be better again come World Cup time. It showed their maturity. Joe Schmidt is keeping them very focused, that’s evident.' Deans also believes Schmidt should do everything in his power to keep his captain, Paul O'Connell, playing after the World Cup. 'Paul's stature in the world game is massive and he’s got a huge amount of respect around the globe,' he said. 'I noticed the other day that Paul said he wouldn’t necessarily close the door on the likelihood of further rugby and that’s a good thing because he probably gets better year to year. He’s certainly an immense part of the Ireland game. He will leave a big void for someone to fill.' Deans is looking forward to taking his Baa Baas team to Limerick, 'the heart of rugby in Ireland', in two months time and is hoping to do what only one other team has managed in the last 12 matches - beat the Irish.