RUGBY: Willie Anderson previews Six Nations
THE big test for Ireland is coming. Can they do it at home? Can they produce the big game performance and win in Paris?
I think that will be the game which could well decide the Championship this year.
Home games are certainly not 'give me's' and to win against France and England in Dublin last year were big achievements.
But if Ireland are to repeat the success of the last year, they will have to win those two games away from Dublin.
They certainly have no fear of going and facing England in Twickenham, but the English will rise up to the challenge, as will all the countries this year. Ireland are the team they want to beat.
The French match in Paris is going to be the key game. It is, in some ways, unfortunate that it is the second game. Last year it was the first fixture and it is always good to get the French early.
I know only too well what is it is like to get them later on and having to stand under the posts after another try has been scored.
We all expect Ireland to go well against Italy in the opener. It will be the battle up front that will count, because the Italians do not really have a backline of note.
That should mean Ireland are travelling to Paris with the potential banana skin out of the way, their confidence furthered again and knowing they can achieve against the French.
France have picked a really, really strong side. It is going to come down to how they play against Scotland, a side who have had the 'Indian sign' above the door on the French in the past.
If France come out strong winners, the tails will be up, and while they will always feel they can beat the Irish, if they win against Scotland they will have got some momentum.
If they lose, well they will be going absolutely mental for a win in Paris.
Looking ahead, international sides are like circles, and I feel Ireland are now coming to the top of their circle in terms of age profile, wins under the belt, success and the number of British Lions in the squad.
If you compare it to England, they are currently at the bottom of their circle, while France are near enough at the top of their circle too, although they probably do not have as many world class players as Ireland.
The European Cup sides in Ireland and France are doing well, there are five in total from both countries in the last eight and that says a lot about how things should maybe go in the Six Nations.
But it is only a marker. Yes the Italians are looking like wooden spoon candidates, while Scotland will pose a problem, but not to the main contenders.
Wales are a side which are nearly at the top of their circle again, but perhaps lack a cutting edge up front. However, they cannot be discounted completely.
If we move on to the Irish team, the guys in the backline are working really well and Declan Kidney and the management have picked on form.
Ronan O'Gara has been playing well, which is obviously reflected in the fact Munster were top seeds in the last eight of the Heineken Cup. He went through a rocky patch last year, but seems to have got over it. Having said that I do believe if Jonathan Sexton had been fit he would have started.
Ulster's Andrew Trimble is certainly deserving of his call back to the squad and, along with Tommy Bowe, you have two wingers who are on top of their game.
They can both score tries, as can Gordon D'Arcy, Brian O'Driscoll and Rob Kearney, the latter being one of the best fullbacks in the world at the moment.
Whether it is individually or collectively, those players can perform.
Tomas O'Leary has developed well at scrumhalf, he has developed, his pass is better and he can mix his game well now.
Up front, where they big tests will be in the next fortnight, Ireland are a formidable unit.
Yes Cian Healy will be well tested against Italy tomorrow, but it will be good for him and it is good to see Tom Court in there on the bench. I believe he will get a good bit of time.
I was a bit surprised that Kevin McLaughlin was picked for this one, although while he probably fills for a six, he is certainly not a Stephen Ferris. I feel Chris Henry can possibly feel a little aggrieved at not getting the opportunity, particularly if Shane Jennings was not selected.
Henry has been consistent all season, and he has made great progress. That is reflected, I guess, by the fact he will skipper the Wolfhounds team tonight against Italy.
And looking at that Irish side, it is great to see Darren Cave getting a start. I think he may have lost a little bit of his edge this season, but that could be down to the fact that others know the dangerous threat he has become and that is a compliment to the young player.
Nigel Brady finally gets a call to the 'A' team.
It is hard to believe that he was an All Ireland League One Championship winner with me in 2001, and yet it has taken nine years for this opportunity.
He has been consistent all season, he has taken his opportunity with Ulster and certainly he was awesome in the game against Bath. I really hope he gets on to get that first cap at Ravenhill tonight.
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Weather for Belfast
Tuesday 29 May 2012
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