Ireland's dream of a semi-final spot ended with a 30-14 defeat to Fiji on Monday, but O'Carroll hopes their World Cup adventure Down Under will help raise the profile of the sport in Ireland and give the international side a solid basis to work forward.

And that could include inclusion in a future-expanded Tri-Nations competition.

O'Carroll and Wigan pals Pat Richards and Michael McIIorum saw Ireland top their group by upsetting Samoa in their final pool game.

O'Carroll said: "There is another World Cup in five years, and if we can get regular fixtures, I am sure we can go one step further .

"As soon as the pools were drawn up, everyone wrote us off. But we always thought we could do well.

"We always had an incredible self-belief in the squad.
"There was no doubt in our minds that we could do well and we showed the world that we are a very capable side."

O'Carroll qualified through his grandfather and was approached about pledging his international career to them by former Wigan duo Barrie McDermott and Terry O'Connor.

He said: "When I got asked to play, Barrie and Terry said the games they remembered most in their careers were the international ones.

"I can see why now because this World Cup was such a brilliant experience for me."

O'Carroll, Richards and McIlorum showed their commitment to the Wolfhounds, having the Ireland team motto tattooed on their arms during the World Cup.

He said: "We all went to Fred's Tattoo Studio in Parramatta and the whole team had it done.

"This squad has always been close but we thought it was a great way of symbolising that team spirit.
"We are proud but the guys will always have the disappointment of knowing we were so close.

"To be the first Irish team to make the semi-finals was always our goal. But we can look back with pride on getting out of our group."

Although several of Warriors' squad reported back for the start of pre-season training on Monday, their World Cup players will not be back at Orrell until December.

Exiting Wigan hooker Micky Higham has earned himself a starting berth for England's World Cup semi-final with New Zealand on Saturday.
TEAM: Wellens; Calderwood, Gleeson, Senior, Smith; Pryce, Burrow; Morley, Higham, Peacock, Ellis, Jones-Buchanan, Purdham. Subs from: Graham, Westwood, Roby, Sinfield, Wilkin, Hock