Ireland captain Johnny Sexton believes the only way Ireland can right the wrongs of previous Rugby World Cups is to learn from yesteryear's heartbreak.
Andy Farrell's Ireland side head to France as one of the tournament favourites and the number one ranked side in the world.
After beating the likes of New Zealand, France, Australia, and others over the last 18 months, fans of the Ireland rugby team are cautiously optimistic.
Ireland has never made it past the quarter-finals of the World Cup and is keen to break that record in France this year.
Ireland faces a tough quarter-final fixture against hosts France or New Zealand if they get out of their pool.
Sexton wants Ireland to learn the lessons from 2011, 2015, and 2019 and make it to the semi-finals.
"We have it all to do," said the outhalf to RTE at an awards show last Saturday
(Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)"We've been in this position before where we've got to the World Cup tipped as favourites and it's come apart.
"So we have to learn the lessons from all those times and put it all together on the big stage, but we've got some experience now."
Ireland will be hoping that their starman is fit for the tournament. Sexton (38) has been injured with a groin injury since the Grand Slam win over England, and it is expected that he will be fit for the tournament come summertime. Sexton is also hopeful he can make Ireland's warm-up games.
"I don't even know what to call it. I'm in rehab/pre-season. I've been in the HPC in Blanchardstown working with the physios and the S&C staff," he added.
"They are putting me to work in the summer. Hopefully [I'll] get back for the summer Tests [against Italy, England, and Samoa] and on to the World Cup, hopefully."
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