It's 153 days until Ireland kick off their World Cup 2011 campaign against the US in New Plymouth.

An eternity for the Chilean miners (who were underground for 69) but for Ireland coach Declan Kidney, it does not seem that long. It will be on us before we know it and speculation on the composition of Kidney's 30-man squad has begun in earnest.

Injuries cloud the issue; in an ideal scenario Jerry Flannery and Stephen Ferris would be fit and in fine fettle but given how their seasons have been ravaged by repeated setbacks, it does not look good for two of the world-class players at Kidney's disposal.

The World Cup is a dog-fight and, with the likes of Russia and Italy to negotiate, Ireland are in a particularly physical group. Bringing players with any sort of injury cloud hanging over them is a gamble that could prove disruptive, and Geordan Murphy is another who could suffer in this regard, given the lack of game time he has had this season.

On the upside, the hope is that Paul O'Connell and Rob Kearney will be fully recovered, and scrum-half Tomas O'Leary should be back in tow sooner rather than later.

Last weekend's European contests replicated the type of intensity Ireland will encounter in five months' time, so what did we learn about the contenders?

PROPS

It was a worrying weekend for the Irish scrum. Cian Healy and Mike Ross coped well with a fearsome Leicester unit, who used every trick in the book (such as stepping left on the hit) to prevent Jamie Heaslip getting a launchpad. Whatever way you look at it, Ireland need to bring five props to the World Cup and rotate them through the pool stages.

The Leinster duo are unquestionably Ireland's first-choice props; it is their back-up that concerns.

Tony Buckley and Tom Court endured torrid afternoons for Munster and Ulster respectively but, given the need for the sole substitute prop at international level to cover loose-head and tight-head, both will travel.

It looks to be a World Cup campaign too far for John Hayes and, given that Jamie Hagan is the only Irish prop besides the Leinster pair playing to form, the Connacht man deserves the final slot.

HOOKERS

Fully fit, Flannery is Ireland's best hooker and one of the finest in world rugby. However, Rory Best had a good Six Nations in the Munster man's absence and provides industry around the park and the essential efficiency out of touch.

Best was dragged down by Ulster's subjugation in the front five against Northampton but knows how to scrummage and has worked well alongside Greg Feek with Ireland.

Damien Varley is a quality operator for Munster and did well against Brive but must get consistency on his throw when the pressure comes on.

Sean Cronin is the most dynamic of the three but, with Connacht now just seeing out their Magners League campaign, he needs big performances to keep his hand up as Varley and Best have some high-profile matches to impress in.

SECOND-ROWS

On the assumption that O'Connell will make it, three of the second-rows pick themselves, with Leo Cullen and Donncha O'Callaghan enjoying fine seasons.

The fourth second-row slot is the one up for grabs. Kidney has tremendous loyalty to Mick O'Driscoll, which his former PBC Cork pupil has justified on numerous occasions, while Devin Toner brings line-out security to the table but without the experience or hardness essential for this challenge.

It leaves Donnacha Ryan nicely positioned. The former UCC man has been a keen student under O'Callaghan, O'Connell and O'Driscoll at Munster but has lacked the game time in his natural position.

However, he has all the attributes and the ability to cover the back-row adds to the appeal.

BACK-ROWS

Ireland are awash with options here, even if Ferris does not make it. Sean O'Brien, David Wallace and Jamie Heaslip are nailed down, while it would be a surprise if Kidney doesn't bring Denis Leamy, whose grappling qualities and general hardness could be crucial.

However, the back of the line-out issue is of paramount importance and this brings Kevin McLaughlin firmly into the equation ahead of Leamy. Like O'Connell before his ankle setback, McLaughlin is approaching battle-speed since his return from injury and he was superb on Saturday -- completely outplaying Lions starter Tom Croft.

Shane Jennings' nous also has World Cup merit but the flanker, excellent for Leinster over the past few seasons, did not truly grab his chance for Ireland against Australia last June.

Ulster erred badly by not starting Willie Faloon against the Saints and this is a guy Ireland need to look at seriously. Hopefully, the open-side will get a run of games now for Ulster to stake his claim because he has 'World Cup bolter' written all over him.

SCRUM-HALVES

Ireland have four quality options here and another, Conor Murray, making a late surge. Murray impressed again for Munster against Brive but this World Cup may have come a bit soon for him.

O'Leary and Reddan will travel as two of the three No 9s and, while Peter Stringer's swift delivery would be a considerable asset, in the heat of battle the physicality of Isaac Boss may be more useful.

OUT-HALVES

A non-issue, as long as injury (touch wood) does not intervene. Jonathan Sexton was in the groove for Leinster against the Tigers (comprehensively outplaying Toby Flood for the second time in a matter of weeks) while Ronan O'Gara has been in the groove all season.

CENTRES

Again, little need for debate here. Gordon D'Arcy and Brian O'Driscoll are gearing up for a World Cup campaign that will serve as a fitting monument to their contributions to Irish rugby.

FULL-BACK

There can be only one, and it has to be Rob Kearney. Isa Nacewa has raised the bar on full-back play and there have been calls for a magical 15 in the Aucklander's image.

Ireland tried Luke Fitzgerald there unsuccessfully during the Six Nations, while Keith Earls sparkled at No 15 against England without being tested defensively. Fast-forward six months to a potential quarter-final against South Africa and when the bombs go up in the air, who do you want fielding them?

Kearney is a big-game player (not least against the Springboks) and the World Cup will be all about tension and tight calls. The Louth man provides security at the back, as well as a potent attacking threat. Fitness permitting, it should be a done deal.

UTILITY BACKS

Tommy Bowe and Keith Earls are locked down, as should be Luke Fitzgerald -- a player with the talent to be a World Cup star once he rediscovers his mojo.

Andrew Trimble's bulk and pace are perfect for this fronting-up exercise and he has done enough to see off Shane Horgan, who is still going strong for Leinster after more than 200 career appearances. Kidney is almost certain to take Paddy Wallace as his back-up out-half and understudy centre, but this is an area to take a gamble.

If O'Gara or Sexton should be ruled out during the tournament, Wallace can be brought in (there will be a group of back-up players sleeping by New Zealand time in readiness) but there are players for the original squad that pack more potency.

Fergus McFadden has had not had the exposure with province or country that his ability and form have merited and he has earned a spot on the plane -- also providing the third top-class place-kicking option required in the squad.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Kidney's final selection will, in all probability, differ significantly from the one picked here, but with a clutch of big games to go in this season, it should not be set in stone. There is still time for the Hagans, McLaughlins and Faloons to make their cases, while some good news on the injury front and good scrummaging from Tony Buckley and Tom Court would not go amiss either.

- Hugh Farrelly

Irish Independent