ON RUGBY:The Munster man's goal-kicking stats give him the edge over Jonathan Sexton, writes GERRY THORNLEY

THINGS ARE getting giddy among the Blarney Army. “Can they do it?” Can they go all the way?” As in win the World Cup.

Whoaaa Betsy! It’s true Ireland’s odds have hardened from around 40 to or 45 to 1 down to 16 to 1. But this still leaves them fifth favourites, which is about right.

For Ireland to even break new ground by reaching the semi-finals they need to stay healthy, for while the nine-try beating of Russia maintained momentum and underlined how some players, such as Andrew Trimble and Ronan O’Gara, are banging on the door, as ever Ireland need the vast majority of their front-liners fit and playing well.

In addition to the usual suspects – Cian Healy, the phenomenal Seán O’Brien (and with the number seven on his back), Andrew Trimble and Keith Earls – Ireland’s quotient of ball carriers against Russia was augmented by Seán Cronin, a rejuvenated Jamie Heaslip, Donncha Ryan and, it has to be said, Paddy Wallace.

With Jerry Flannery departed, Cronin’s dynamic running and support play would offer an alternative to Rory Best (playing the best rugby of his life) were anything untoward to happen to him. Even so, Ireland would still lose out significantly were anything to happen to either of the props or even either of the locks (especially Superman). The same could be said of the back row, in light of David Wallace’s misfortune.

There are viable options/impact replacements in both halfback positions, and the outside backs, but with an intense schedule of up to seven matches in seven weeks, overall Ireland do not have the strength in depth of others.

It will be interesting to see what Declan Kidney and co do against Italy, especially at halfback, given the pack pretty much picks itself. Hardly any scrumhalf lasts 80 minutes any more (Dimitri Yachvili is an exception) but once again, when introduced for the final quarter against Australia, Conor Murray injected the team with vigour around the fringes.

Then big issue is outhalf. It won’t go away. Jonathan Sexton’s return of five from 12 place-kicks contrasts sharply with Ronan O’Gara’s ratio of 10 from 12.

The management have invested heavily in Sexton’s greater running threat and defence (which will apply again if Wales loom in the quarter-finals). Nor do his goal-kicking problems appear to be affecting his general game, but against Italy there will be a need to keep the scoreboard ticking over and O’Gara, whose skills set and confidence are as good as ever, looks in better nick in that department. It is a very tough call again.

Trimble was outstanding against England, and picked up where he left off in arguably being Ireland’s best performer throughout the August series. His energy, pace, strength, footwork and workrate off the ball, were finally rewarded with a first try in 21 Tests against the Bears on Sunday. The problem is, who do the management leave out if Tommy Bowe is fit? Ultimately, it would be classic Kidney if Ireland reverted to the starting XV which played against Australia in Eden Park.

Ireland’s priority is still getting out of their group, and thus beating Italy next Sunday in the enclosed Otago Stadium. The atmosphere in the newly-built ground sounds fantastic, judging by television coverage of the England-Argentina game and, with the green army again due in town, it’s long since been a 26,000 sell-out.

In the interim, Italy had to put their best foot forward against the USA Eagles today in Nelson, given their need for a bonus point win. That would enable them to move within three points of Ireland and leave them requiring a win of any hue next Sunday, provided they don’t let Ireland obtain two bonus points in defeat, to edge Ireland out of the last eight.

Victory for the Eagles over Italy would carry a considerable prize in that it would give them every chance of securing third place in the group and with it automatic qualification for the 2015 tournament in England.

It still appears as if Ireland missed a trick by not adding a fourth try in the final quarter against the USA in their opener in New Plymouth. Had they done so, they would only need one bonus point against the Italians to secure first place, never mind second, in the pool and advance to next Saturday’s week’s first of the Wellington quarter-finals, most probably against Wales with, most likely, the winners of a putative England-France quarter-final awaiting in the last four.

But that horse has bolted now, and, on the almost certain premise that the Wallabies secure a five-point haul against Russia, Ireland need the bare minimum of two match points (either a draw or two bonus points in defeat) to secure first place.

The thought that a defeat could see them on a homeward-bound plane less than 24 hours later ought to concentrate the Irish players’ minds. The only fear is the pressure becomes inhibiting and they become too fearful at the thought of defeat.

The Irish management and players alike have focused on this shoot-out with the Italians from before the tournament and all the way through it, returning to their theme in the immediate aftermath of the win over Russia.

There is possibly a danger that they could create something of a monster for themselves and build the Italians up too much.

It’s true the Italians are getting closer to Ireland; only a late Ronan O’Gara drop goal earned a 13-11 win in Rome last February. Even so, Ireland have still won the last 15 meetings in a row, outscoring the Italians 29-11 in Dublin last year.