Eddie O'Sullivan's Ireland side won the Triple Crown this year

The Irish suffered home defeats against New Zealand and Australia last November but then went on to win the Triple Crown in the Six Nations Championship.

"We have the ability to turn those results around," said O'Sullivan.

Ireland go into the three-Test tour boosted by a six-year, multi-million pound sponsorship deal with O2 Ireland.

The mobile phone company takes over from the Irish Permanent who sponsored the senior and 'A' squads for a decade.

The deal, reputed to be worth around �1m a year, commences this Thursday prior to the Ireland team's departure to New Zealand.

This year's Triple Crown winners face the All Blacks in Hamilton and Auckland on 10 and 17 June before taking on Australia a week later in Perth.

O'Sullivan is well aware that history is against his players prospering Down Under.

Ireland have yet to post a win against the All Blacks in 18 meetings - a 10-10 draw at Lansdowne Road in 1973 was the closest they have come to a prized victory.

We've got Brian O'Driscoll and Paul O'Connell back now - they were both missed in November Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan

Their record against Australia offers more encouragement, with seven wins in 24 clashes - three of those were on Australian soil with the most recent success back in 2002 at Lansdowne Road.

But Irish rugby's best season since the dawning of the professional era - with the Triple Crown, Heineken Cup and Celtic League trophies all safely in the vault - has O'Sullivan and his players brimming with optimism.

O'Sullivan said: "This tour is coming off the back of a long season - what was for most players a very successful one - but everyone is very much switched on to the task at hand."

Ireland began the international season back in November with a 45-7 defeat at the hands of New Zealand, shipping five tries. A week later, the Aussies took a 30-14 victory away from Lansdowne Road.

However, Ireland's form since the autumn gives O'Sullivan optimism for the tour.

"It was early in the season for us and we were missing key players. We've a much better balance going into these games.

"Four years ago, we ran the All Blacks very close (15-6) in the first Test in Dunedin and there is a good deal more experience in our side now.

"We've got Brian O'Driscoll and Paul O'Connell back now - they were both missed in November."

Paul O'Connell missed training on Tuesday because of the right ankle that troubled him in the lead-up to the Heineken Cup final but his place in the touring party is not in any doubt.