A look at the Wallabies' Pool C rivals at the 2011 Rugby World Cup (rankings as at week to Aug 29):-

IRELAND

IRB ranking: 8

Best World Cup result: Quarter-finals 1987, 1991, 1995, 2003

The perennial World Cup underachievers have had a lamentable build-up to this year's tournament and few Irish eyes are smiling at present. After pulling off a memorable Six Nations upset of England in March, Ireland are back to square one following four straight warm-up defeats to Scotland, France (twice) and England. Making matters worse, they lost starting flanker David Wallace (knee) to injury in their last-start 20-9 loss to England. Centre great Brian O'Driscoll, at 32, remains their key figure in his fourth World Cup while the classy Jonny Sexton is a playmaker on the rise. Ireland were the big disappointments in 2007 when they failed to reach the knockout stages but remain one of the most unpredictable sides in world rugby and will have Australia wary about an upset in Auckland on September 17. They must muscle-up against the Italians on October 2 to progress to the quarters.

ITALY

IRB ranking: 11

Best World Cup result: never progressed past pool stage

Renowned for their ability in another football code, Italy have their best-ever chance to crack a RWC play-off berth in New Zealand. They boast one of the strongest packs in world rugby and can fancy their chances of bringing down Ireland in the pivotal final group match. However their big problem centres around an Australian. Former NRL premiership halfback Craig Gower was slated as the Azzurri's saviour at No.10 before a knee injury and return to rugby league left the playmaking cupboard bare at five-eighth. Brisbane club stalwart Kris Burton got his chance but has been discarded. Big-kicking fullback Luke McLean remains as an Australian presence. South African Nick Mallett is a canny coach who guided Italy to an upset of France in last year's Six Nations but they still finished wooden-spooners. They possess one of the best scrummaging props in the game in Martin Castrogiovanni and will use their scrum as a weapon.

USA

IRB ranking: 18

Best World Cup result: never progressed past pool stage

Former Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan has the big task of improving the Eagles' dismal World Cup record. They have won just two of 17 matches in five tournaments. USA appear little chance of making the knockout stages but will target their second match against the Russians in New Plymouth as their must-win game and also hope to pull off an upset against the Irish or Italians. Highlanders winger James Paterson looms as the most dangerous player in a squad which also includes Saracens pair Chris Wyles and Hayden Smith, former Lions flanker Todd Clever and Biarritz winger Taku Ngwenya. Ngwenya is a player to watch. He scored the try of the 2007 World Cup by burning Springbok speedster Bryan Habana. The Eagles have warmed up with disappointing 28-22 and 27-7 losses to Canada.

RUSSIA

IRB ranking: 19

Best World Cup result: qualifying in 2011

Amid a squad of unknown Russians, the name of Melbourne Rebels and former Queensland Reds lock Adam Byrnes stands out like a beacon for the competition new boys. Byrnes will make his Test debut for the Bears thanks to his maternal lineage. His grandparents moved to Australia after World War II, he spoke Russian as a child and was baptised Russian Orthodox. A noted firebrand, Byrnes will get his crack at the Wallabies on October 1 in Nelson. The Bears are improving but not fast enough to be competitive. A 75-3 loss to Japan 10 months ago shows how far they've had to come. They did have the better of Canada for 70 minutes before losing in June and were then edged 24-19 by Italy A. Fullback Vasili Artemiev is an Irish Under-19 international, lock Andrei Ostrikov plays for the Sale Sharks while Welshman Kingsley Jones is their coaching director.

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