Ireland ready to deliver at last

Trust the wily, cunning French. Coach Bernard Laporte this week revealed his thoughts on the 2005 Six Nations Championship by suggesting Ireland could win.

The loud gnashing of teeth throughout Ireland at his words told of a people about as comfortable with the tag of favourites as a man with a boil on his backside.

Laporte said: "I think this is the most open championship for a while because Ireland are very good. They have been playing well for the last five years and their provinces have made good progress in the Heineken Cup through Leinster and Munster. They also won at Twickenham last year with a very good performance. It's never easy to play against Ireland."

All of which blows to pieces Ireland's favourite, comfy position as likely also-rans. Of course, Laporte is right. Eddie O'Sullivan's men have the players and they have the fixture schedule to anticipate only the second Grand Slam in their history. (The first was in 1948).

But suggesting Ireland could win it? Ireland never deliver when they're tipped to do so. Look at their tour of South Africa last June. Yet a glance at the fixture schedule proves the wisdom of Laporte's words. England and France must travel to Dublin, while the Irish appear to have only Wales away as a source of potential difficulty on their travels.

They start with away games in Italy and Scotland and can expect a 100 per cent record from that opening. Those two struggling nations will surely once again contest the wooden spoon.

What of England? Injuries and World Cup retirements have obliterated their planning, although Jonny Wilkinson hopes to be back for the second half of the Championship.

England may have too much forward power for the reviving Welsh, but whether Andy Robinson's new team will possess enough aura and self belief to handle the difficult trip to Ireland is more problematic.

I believe England will start this weekend with a win in Cardiff.

Much has been made of the mythical Welsh revival, yet they failed to beat a New Zealand 2nd/3rd XV or South Africa's weary travellers in Cardiff in November. Wales, led by the inspirational Gareth Thomas, have some outstanding backs. But they may lack the power up front to contain a strong England unit.

France is France, a completely unknown package.

Manifestly, they have the players and on their day can be sublime. But Laporte's quirky selection process undermines them.

Which brings us to Ireland, and a team containing world class players such as Brian O'Driscoll, Gordon D'Arcy, Paul O'Connell, Geordan Murphy and Ronan O'Gara. But it may be the back-up men who will determine the outcome of this Championship. If they can raise their game and perform at a consistently high level, then Ireland could gain the belief and momentum to make it a season to remember.

THIS WEEKEND

All live on Sky's Rugby Channel

* Sunday, February 6: France v Scotland, Stade de France 2.55am.

* Wales v England, Millennium Stadium 6.25am.

* Monday, February 7: Italy v Ireland, Stadio Flaminio 3.25am.