Ireland is now a rugby nation – and the whole country is holding its breath ahead of tomorrow’s showdown with the All Blacks.

Tens of thousands of Irish fans are expected in Paris this weekend as Ireland take on New Zealand in the Quarter Finals of the Rugby World Cup.

Ireland have never gotten past the Quarter Final stage of the competition; however, the team went into the tournament as World Number One – and are now favourites to win it at most bookies.

On Newstalk Breakfast this morning, presenter Ciara Kelly said she is travelling to Paris with the Green Army and “cannot wait” for the match.

Ireland fans celebrate at the final whistle in the Rugby World Cup against South Africa, 23-09-2023. Image: PA Images / Alamy

“I think the whole country is holding its breath,” she said. “The whole Dare to Dream thing is real and I think this Rugby World Cup has captivated the nation.”

She said she believes rugby has now overtaken soccer in terms of popularity in Ireland.

“I think we are a rugby nation,” she said.

“The truth of it is, we will never ever again compete, really, on a world stage internationally in soccer, we don't have the ability to do so.

“We will, from now on, always be one of those teams that, I think, will be viewed as a great rugby team.

“We do compete internationally. This is what we do and this is what we do well.

“All over the country, kids are signing up to rugby clubs. There will be, I don't know how many millions of people, watching tomorrow night on TV around the country.

“They will and there will be tens of thousands travelling to France - with tickets or without tickets - just to be there and to say that they were there.”

Try for the Irish during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between Ireland and Scotland, 07/10/2023. Credit: LE PICTORIUM/Alamy Live News

Fellow presenter Jonathan Healy said Irish people will always get behind the team – but the sport is far less popular at grassroot level.

“I still don't think we're a rugby nation,” he said.

“The reason I don't think we're rugby nation is because rugby is seen as a bit of a fancy – if you're into it, you're into it. If you're not, you'll be a passenger.

“I think that's what's going to happen is that the Green Army will mobilise the higher up we go in the Rugby World Cup.

“Is every young fella going to be standing on street corners with a rugby ball after this in the same way they were after Italia 90 or when a county is in an All-Ireland?

“They're not – but I think there is this sense of realisation that this is good, that this is something that we've never done before and as a result, we have to pay attention to it."

Stuart Hogg of Scotland is tackled by Josh van der Flier, left, and Bundee Aki, right, of Ireland during the Six Nations, 12-03-2023. Image: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Ciara said her own son told her this week that he wanted to get back into rugby.

“I think we are a rugby nation,” she said.

“I think we have captivated the nation with this Rugby World Cup. I think we are The Team of Us and I think Ireland is behind this team.

“Ireland wants to see this victory more than we have in a very long time with anything.”

The Quarter Final gets underway at the Stade de France at 8pm on Saturday night.