Shane Byrne: Joe Schmidt will get Ireland into last four

Shane Byrne believes Joe Schmidt has found a formula which could lead Ireland to World Cup glory.
The former Ireland international has backed Schmidt to end their long wait for a semi-final place, having been knocked out at the quarter-final stage in five of the seven previous World Cups.
Schmidt has already delivered consecutive Six Nations titles and having avoided any of the Southern Hemisphere powerhouses in the pool stage of this year's tournament, 41-cap hooker Byrne is confident 2015 could be Ireland's year.
Byrne said: “The Irish management team is spot on now, we've gone into World Cups before with good squads but we've made mistakes before and during the tournaments but I don't think this management team will allow mistakes to happen.
“They will get the best out of the side and Ireland, on their day, could beat anyone.
“I'd love to see us tick that box of getting to a semi-final, we've never done it before and deserve to at least get to a semi-final with this generation of players.
“It's set up nicely in the pool stage and the big pivotal game is obviously going to be France, you beat France and you avoid New Zealand in the knock-out stage.
“But then again if you want to win the World Cup you've got to beat them all.”
Byrne concedes it's hard to look beyond reigning champions New Zealand when picking out favourites for this year's tournament but Ireland's confidence will have been boosted by running the All Blacks close at the end of 2013.
Only Aaron Cruden's overtime conversion prevented Ireland getting their first-ever victory over New Zealand but Schmidt's side have undoubtedly progressed since that agonising defeat.
Ireland have never played two of the other favourites for this year's tournament, England and South Africa, at a World Cup and while the All Blacks will be most people's tip to lift the Webb Ellis Cup there will be several sides who fancy their own chances of pulling off a shock.
“There are a huge amount of teams that could do very well in this World Cup,” added Byrne.
“Who will win? Unfortunately you have to mention New Zealand as the favourites but it would be great to see a team from the Northern Hemisphere do it.
“England are obviously in great form and have a good, strong squad, Ireland have been going very well and they have a great chance.
“It's up against it for Wales because of their pool draw but what they need to put together is some consistency.
“We all know on their day Wales can play some cracking rugby but then the following week you don't know.
“It's the one thing Ireland has been able to do in recent seasons, be consistent.
“But if Wales can hit the ground running and get amongst England and Australia then they will be a hard side to beat.”