Former England star Will Greenwood thinks Ireland could suffer more World Cup heartbreak in Japan.
Ireland have never gone beyond the quarter-finals of the tournament despite winning the Six Nations four times in the last ten years - including two Grand Slams.
The 2015 World Cup saw Joe Schmidt's side disappointingly bow out in the last eight to Argentina.
Ireland's path to the last four looks harder this time with either New Zealand or South Africa waiting for them in the quarter-finals if they emerge from their pool of Japan, Russia, Scotland and Samoa.
And 2003 World Cup winner Greenwood fears that Ireland's World Cup hoodoo is set to continue.
He told 2fm’s Game On: "I know I’m talking to an Irish radio station here and I’m wary of saying it, but you can’t get past a quarter-final. You know that and the players know that.
"I think there’s a different mentality with Schmidt and this whole crowd but the only thing I’m looking at however is you lot are pooled with New Zealand and South Africa.
"So whether you win the group or come second, you’re going to play one of the hot favourites to win the World Cup. You’re not getting it easy are you?
"It’s such a tough tournament to win now, I think it’s stratosphere harder than it was in 1999 or even in 2003, there were only four teams that could win it then.
"Now I think you have an argument to say there are seven or eight. If anyone could predict the four semi-final teams in the correct order, pick the group winners and the quarter-final winners, I think you’re a better man than me."
If you haven't already, be sure to like our Irish Mirror Sport and Irish Mirror GAA pages on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
