Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has played down suggestions that his side have landed an easy route in the 2027 Rugby World Cup, following the draw that placed the men in green alongside Scotland, Uruguay and Portugal in Pool D of the expanded 24-team tournament set to take place in Australia.

While topping their pool could see Ireland avoid early encounters with heavyweights France, New Zealand or defending champions South Africa, Farrell remained pragmatic about the path ahead.

"You can try and second-guess it and think all different permutations are going to work out in a certain way, but we know that a World Cup always throws up these type of things, that's why we love it so much," he said after the draw on Wednesday.

Farrell stressed that focusing on Ireland’s own performances is paramount, warning: "If you don't look after your own side of things first and foremost then things could slightly happen a little bit differently. But having said that, everyone else in our pool is 100% going to be thinking in the same way."

placeholder image — Ireland head coach Andy Farrell

Ireland will once again face familiar Six Nations rivals Scotland, whom they have defeated in the previous two World Cups, including a comprehensive 36-14 victory in France in 2023.

The Irish have an impressive record, having beaten Scotland in their last 11 encounters, but Farrell was quick to underline the threat posed by Gregor Townsend’s side.

"The easy thing for us to say every time we play Scotland is that we have always had a lot of respect for them as an unbelievably dangerous, world-class side," he said, highlighting his own experience working with several Scottish players during the British and Irish Lions tour. "Over the course of two years those things change massively as well."

Ireland have never faced Uruguay at Test level but are no strangers to Portugal, whom they thrashed 106-7 in Lisbon during a 2023 warm-up.

"We've played Portugal once and I've actually tried to play against them a few times, so we've followed their journey,” Farrell added. “Uruguay is a little different. All in all, I was super excited. I got goosebumps standing up, as in it's exciting, you know. So that's the way it should be.”

Despite their strong showings, Ireland are yet to reach a World Cup semi-final, having fallen at the quarter-final stage on eight occasions.

Farrell, now preparing for his second World Cup in charge, is determined that his side can break new ground.

"We all have the ambition to win the World Cup, otherwise what's the point? I want to ensure that everyone else feels the same," he said, revealing that preparations are already underway following a two-hour strategy meeting with IRFU staff.

With the pool stage draw now set, Ireland’s journey towards World Cup glory begins in earnest, as Farrell aims to instil belief in his squad and finally take his side beyond the last eight.