Paul O'Connell insists Ireland have the talent to win the World Cup - all they need is the self-belief.

Ireland's 32-15 rout of South Africa has heightened expectation to the point where centre Gordon D'Arcy revealed they have set their sights on lifting the Webb Ellis Trophy next year.

Inspirational Munster lock O'Connell has backed D'Arcy by declaring they have the ability to mount a serious title challenge - a claim he knows will gain more credibility if Australia are dispatched tomorrow.

"We have such a high standard of player at the moment. There's a lot of talent and if we don't take advantage of that we'll be very disappointed," said O'Connell.

"This is our greatest chance of winning a World Cup and we need to start believing that now before it's too late. We need to seize the opportunity.

"Back-to-back victories over the southern hemisphere would be brilliant. It was incomprehensible in previous times.

"The World Cup is only eight or nine games away and South Africa was our first game along the road. The bones of this squad are going to be there.

"It's very satisfying every time you beat South Africa. Like all the southern hemisphere teams they have massive strength in depth.

"Any time you beat them is incredible. It was our third time in history that we beat them so it was a big deal to us.

"But now it's up to us to kick on from here. Confidence is as high as I've known it since I've been involved in the Ireland team.

"The success of Munster and Leinster last season and the two Triple Crowns have helped raise confidence. It's creeped in over time. We're in a good healthy position right now."

The last encounter with Australia ended in disappointment with Ireland coming from behind in June to take a second half lead, only to then collapse to a 37-15 drubbing.

The battle in Perth followed two narrow defeats by New Zealand and Ireland's failure to register a victory on the tour still rankles.

"We did so much good stuff in Perth," added O'Connell. "We had bit of a bad period in the middle of the game and that probably cost us.

"We conceded some soft tries and that killed us. We've tried to end the days of soft tries because they're so frustrating.

"People were saying we were tired but we'd been in good shape during two big games against New Zealand.

"The match fitness was there but Australia hit the ground running. Their running lines in the second half were excellent.

"Everything is a battle when you play the southern hemisphere. The intensity is so high - there are no soft rucks, line-outs or scrum.

"You have to work very hard for everything. The step up in pace is big."