By Matt Majendie

Kirwan is in relaxed mood ahead of the World Cup

John Kirwan has backed Italy to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

The Italians have been drawn in Pool D for the trip down under with New Zealand, Wales, Tonga and Canada.

And the former All Black wing, who now coaches Italy, believes the Azzurri have the ability to take three out of the four scalps.

He told the BBC Sport website: "First out, we have to beat Tonga and Canada - that's a definite. And then we'll have a crack at Wales and there's no reason why we can't win that one.

"But of course, all the other teams in our group will be heading down to Australia to qualify as well.

"We need to qualify and get into the top eight but it will be difficult because the draw may stop us."

Italy face Wales in their final group game just four days after their penultimate game against Canada.

"But winning that Wales game is not the be all and end all," added Kirwan. "We'll also try and play the house down and have a good time.

"We need to have a strong tournament and impress on the field. I want to show people we weren't a one-off last season and that we're here to stay."

KIRWAN PROFILE Born: 16/12/64 Position: Test caps: 63 Tries: 35 Debut: 16/6/84 Last Test: 6/8/94 Italy record as coach: Won three, lost eight

Last season Italy picked up only their second Six Nations victory in what was their 16th match in the annual tournament, overcoming Wales 30-22.

They then followed that up with impressive displays against Scotland and England.

Kirwan has credited his notoriously harsh fitness regime for the improvement in results, with the team now able to play the full 80 minutes rather than slipping up in the dying moments of games due to tiredness.

He added: "We're also playing more intelligently and thus using less energy in the process."

Since then, though, the team has struggled to overcome easier opponents, losing three out of five matches against provincial sides on tour in New Zealand, as well as being overwhelmed by Ireland and Scotland.

But Kirwan said: "The results were as we wanted but the work's been done and things are in place for the World Cup.

"We really concentrated on defensive patterns. We worked 80% on that, which causes confusion before getting it right, which is what happened. It started to click at the end of the tour.

We want our team to play as they drive cars John Kirwan

"So we've not taken a step back - we're still moving forward. We concentrated on a couple of things rather than worry too much about results.

"We're positive the work's been done and we've got the right team. We're not over confident but we're happy."

Kirwan insists a 20% improvement is still needed - and expected - in every department ahead of the tournament.

And he is also adamant his team need to bring aspects of their everyday life to Melbourne, Wollongong and Canberra, where they will play their group matches.

He said: "We want our team to play as they drive cars. That's part of our philosophy - play how we live.

"Of course we need the structure to play at this level but we need to be unpredictable as well. We need to put flair into life."

After Italy, New Zealand is his pick to win the tournament - "as much with my head as my heart".