Eales is backing the Aussies to retain the World Cup

Wallaby coach Eddie Jones is without eight players for the match against Ireland, who beat the world champions last November in Dublin.

Australia will announce their team on Tuesday and Eales expects it to be a strong outfit.

"Obviously they're missing quite a few - I think eight Wallabies were out of consideration - so that probably gives a good opportunity to blood a few new guys," said Eales.

"Certainly if you look at the team, it's pretty impressive from front to back."

Eales believes that home advantage means defending champions Australia are favourites to win the Rugby World Cup later this year.

Last season the Wallabies were heavily criticised for poor performances.

But despite the criticism Eales thinks the team will take some beating come the World Cup, which starts in October.

"I think Australia have just shown that they're so hard to beat at home - similar to England," he said.

Solitary defeat

"We've got to remember the World Cup is being played here and the semi-final and final are going to be at Stadium Australia, where Australia are a really strong team.

"They've lost only one Test match there - I think they're going to be pretty hard to beat."

Eales said rugby had moved on considerably in the two seasons since he retired and added that coach Eddie Jones had made alterations to acknowledge the change.

"There was very much a culture to just hold on to the ball and build pressure through continuous possession," said Eales.

"But the organisation of defences just keeps improving, so you can't just keep on doing that (building up pressure) because the defence will just keep getting ready.

"So now there needs to be more emphasis on people who are able to break the line and then capitalise on that."