Orlando Bloom 'Listen I've got Irish in me so I have to say I think Ireland deserves to win the World Cup.' Photo: Getty Images

British actor Orland Bloom has said Ireland deserves to win the world cup.

The Lord of the Rings star, who is shooting scenes for The Hobbit in host nation New Zealand, told RTE in an interview: "I saw Australia get whipped by Ireland.

“Listen I've got Irish in me so I have to say I think Ireland deserves to win the World Cup.

“If there's a nation in the world that could use a little love right now it's Ireland."

But the actor, who is married to Australian supermodel Miranda Kerr, was careful enough not to upset his home team.

“Don't get me wrong I'm a staunch British rugby supporter and of course I've very strong ties to Australia and New Zealand because I've spent two years there and it's of course hosting the World Cup, so it's a real mixed bag, but I was happy to see Ireland have a good crack at Australia, because they really dug deep," he added.

Mr Bloom is currently promoting his new movie The Three Musketeers 3D.