If Ireland face New Zealand in the World Cup quarter finals, it's the All Blacks that will go into the game with fear, according to Irish legend Brian O'Driscoll.
Andy Farrell's men look to do what no Irish side has ever done before, and that is progress past the World Cup quarter finals when they head to France next month.
Ranked number one in the world, and playing an enviable brand of rugby, this Irish side seem to have the best chance of any that have gone to the world's showcase before them.
However, standing between Ireland the a potential semi final is a pool of death which includes reigning World Champions South Africa, and a Scottish side that has shown great strides and an attacking structure that no other Scottish side has boasted before.
Should Ireland break free from their pool of death, a meeting with either hosts France, or the mighty All Blacks will be their fate in the quarter finals, with only final pool standings determining their opposition.
However, should the latter be the destination for the Farrell's men, Ireland legend Brian O'Driscoll believes they will have an edge over the famed New Zealanders.
New Zealand will fear Ireland a little bit
Speaking on Off The Ball on Friday, O'Driscoll looked ahead to the World Cup, past the pool of death, and into what he hopes will be a quarter final meeting with New Zealand.
"Every time we have this conversation we talk about trying to grasp onto the positives," O'Driscoll said. "There's a counter argument to everything. The truth is, if you look at New Zealand squads that have gone to World Cups before, is this the best squad on paper? No.
"But we know what capabilities New Zealand possess at World Cups. They get to semi finals, they get finals, they win the tournament.
"So, if we do get them in a quarter final, it's going to take a monumental performance against them. It will be a close game."
In spite of believing that it will take a lot to beat the All Blacks in a knockout stage, O'Driscoll knows that Ireland will lean on the experience of having win a series against them on their own home turf.
"We have beaten them in recent years, so we should not fear them," O'Driscoll said. "They will fear us a bit because we are playing a very, very good brand of rugby. [Ireland are] defensively strong, and have a good set piece and a great phase game.
"We will cause them problems as much as they will cause us problems. So, I think, if you are looking at New Zealand squads, we shouldn't be afraid of this one, compared to being afraid of other ones in the past!"
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