Rugby World Cup Pool D: Check out Ireland's pool stage opposition

Hopes are higher than ever that Ireland can reach a maiden World Cup semi-final, but who stand between us and that goal in the pool stage?

Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has overseen two successive RBS 6 Nations title charges, and we now sit second in the world standings for the first time.

Our talismanic captain Paul O’Connell will bring down his Test career after the World Cup, and swap home province Munster for superstar French Riviera outfit Toulon. All Ireland demands a fitting swansong.