Success would be getting to the last four but, once there, we will get greedy.
Michael Cheika’s Australia are planning to feature two separate 15s in their opening World Cup games.
Joe Schmidt might be tempted to follow suit but should sprinkle out appearances among most of his squad for the Canada and Romania matches.
The head coach will have an idea of his strongest 15 but these three players, who began the summer as outsiders, could have a big part to play in some crucial games.
Chris Henry
Was the man in possession of the No 7 jersey last autumn until a heart condition ruled him out of the Guinness Series and 2015 Six Nations.
Henry can cover across the back row and appears to have jumped the queue to play back-up on Ireland’s bench. Jordi Murphy and the versatile Iain Henderson are also in contention for that role.
The Ulsterman brings a combative presence to affairs but has an eye for the tryline [see below for his Scotland score] and is not afraid of an offload. His flicked pass to Johnny Sexton set up a vital try against France [in 2014] was a joy to behold.
It is our contention that Schmidt should use the opening two games to weigh up whether Peter O’Mahony or Henry should start at blindside against Italy.
Another train of thought would see Henry start at openside with Sean O’Brien – much like Cian Healy – on the bench as an impact sub for the final 30 minutes.
Tadhg Furlong
Two caps to his name and about 35 minutes of on-pitch time as an Ireland international – Furlong was the shock inclusion in Schmidt’s squad.
In all likelihood, Schmidt will look at starting him against Romania and leave Nathan White with gas in the tank to back up Mike Ross.
Interestingly, Furlong may win his first Ireland start at loosehead as Cian Healy is not yet near full fitness and Jack McGrath will get the No.1 jersey against Canada.
The 22-year-old took to Champions Cup rugby so well, at the turn of last year, that Ross could not get back into the team.
Schmidt feels he is capable of stepping up to the next level. He is rarely proved wrong.
Dave Kearney
A key member of the Ireland team that won the 2014 Six Nations, injuries placed Kearney well down the pecking order this year.
A solid cameo off the bench, against Scotland, and strong performances [in losing causes] against Wales and England pushed him right into the starting picture.
No matter what the game is – open or stultified – Kearney makes yards. He is exceedingly brave in the tackle and in the air and is a line-breaker.
From completely out of the picture, Kearney is now in the box-seat to start against Italy and France.
As the warm-up games have shown, however, plans can drastically change in the space of mere seconds.
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