Confident Ireland ready to seize the moment

Brian O'Driscoll says instead of 'now or never' his team are asking 'why not now?'. Picture / Reuters

LONDON - Captain Brian O'Driscoll says instead of 'now or never' his team are asking 'why not now?' as Ireland enter into the 2005 Six Nations with real hopes of lifting the rugby title for the first time in 20 years.

The bookmakers have England as favourites, more out of habit than investigation, and the world champions have a chance for revenge on Six Nations champions France at Twickenham.

But this year's championship should be effectively decided in Dublin, where Ireland have home advantage over both the "big two".

That fixture list, Ireland's encouraging show in the November internationals and the impressive form of the provinces in the Heineken Cup have combined to raise Irish hopes.

"The expectation levels have risen for a reason and it's up to us to live with that and deliver," O'Driscoll said.

Coach Eddie O'Sullivan, who has been helped by having a settled squad with no major injury worries, was also happy to deal with high hopes.

"People are saying that it's Ireland's time, that's what we have been working for and it's up to us to be comfortable in that position," he said.

"We've had some good results against the major nations in recent years and now it's time for us to string a few together."

One of those notable successes came at Twickenham last March when a 19-13 victory ended England's 22-game, five year unbeaten home run and helped Ireland to the triple crown.

"That victory was a mental hurdle that we stepped over and England's aura of invincibility has gone," O'Driscoll said.

Ireland begin their campaign with away games in Italy and Scotland before hosting England and France and signing off in Cardiff.

England have not lost in the Welsh capital since 1993 but go into their opener there on Sunday (NZ time) in something of a state of flux.

Coach Andy Robinson dealt well with the rash of injuries and retirements in the November internationals as a solid win over South Africa and narrow loss to Australia proved encouraging.

But further injuries, particularly in the midfield, have left him short of options as he continues to move things on in the post-Clive Woodward era.

The pack remains impressive, however, and should be strong enough to repel boarders at Twickenham.

The Ireland match in Dublin on February 27 looks key, although nothing can be taken for granted against France on February 13, eight days after what could be a testing start in the Millennium Stadium.

France's hopes of a repeat grand slam have been hit hard by the injuries that threaten to rob them of their entire back row, one of the most feared units in the game.

Imanol Harinordoquy, Serge Betsen and Olivier Magne are all out of the first game against Scotland with Betsen and Magne struggling to play any part in the tournament.

France will travel to Twickenham reasonably confident following the performances of their clubs in the Heineken Cup, particularly Biarritz, who beat Leicester and Wasps.

As ever, much will depend on French mood on the day but for them to triumph at Twickenham and Lansdowne Road is a big ask.

Wales appear to occupy a division of their own in the championship -- just below the top three but clearly superior to Scotland and Italy.

Their free-running backs are capable of scoring tries against anyone but the pack remains unproven and their whole campaign will be defined by 80 minutes against England.

Scotland will take anything, as a repeat of 2004, when they failed to muster a point, is a real possibility.

Short of resources, coach Matt Williams has been hit further with several injuries and with the administrative chaos off the pitch hanging over the squad it looks to be another long, hard campaign.

Italy will be lifted by the return of Alessandro Troncon, back as captain following his fallout with coach John Kirwan.

Kirwan, a New Zealander, has again made confident noises but realistically his target will be a win over Scotland on February 26 in the probable wooden spoon decider.

- REUTERS