“The World Cup is like any competition in that you have to take it step by step,” McNaughton told In Touch magazine.

“Just like the Irish provinces in the Heineken Cup, that starts with getting out of your pool.

“There is no difference here. We have four matches and anything can happen.

“So, there is no talk of quarter-finals or semi-finals, just talk of winning the pool.”

McNaughton, who also played soccer for Shelbourne FC and Bray Wanderers FC as well as appearing for Wicklow senior footballers, is under no illusions about the threat presented by Ireland’s Group C opposition.

"Yes, it will be difficult.

“I think Australia are ranked second in the world behind New Zealand, while we only have to reflect back on our game against them in Rome earlier this year to recognise how hard Italy can be to overcome.

“Australia are clearly the tougher proposition.

“But I don't believe there's been much between us in our meetings over the past three or four years.

“Of course, if we don't come up with a full deck of cards we can be beaten.

“It's about level of performances but there's no doubt we will approach all of those games with the belief we can do this.”

While the Wallabies undoubtedly represent Ireland’s sternest challenge, McNaughton refuses to underestimate the other possible stumbling blocks for Declan Kidney’s men.

"Of course, we are expected to beat the USA but the one thing we will be doing is making sure that there is no overconfidence for that game.

“We have to give respect to the opposition.

"I have experienced US rugby myself and it hasn't changed that much.

“Our coaches have watched the US and Russia in the Churchill Cup in England in June, so we are firmly up to date.

"Ultimately, we are going to have to beat Italy in our final pool game in Dunedin.

“If we don't, we could find ourselves not getting out of the pool.”