Ireland on everyone's lips at Six Nations launch

LONDON - Ireland's chances of winning the Six Nations for the first time in 20 years was the main topic of conversation when the 2005 tournament was officially launched on Wednesday.

The Irish took the Triple Crown last year, losing out to France in Paris for the championship, but this year the draw works perfectly for them.

They open with trips to Italy and Scotland then take on England and France in Dublin before signing off in Cardiff.

Captain and centre Brian O'Driscoll is back to his inspirational best and the performances of his Leinster side and Munster in the Heineken Cup have whetted the appetite of the Irish rugby public.

Victory over England at Twickenham last year was sweet but now they need to beat both the "big two".

Home advantage should help and talk of their second Grand Slam after their solitary success in 1948 is not far-fetched.

"People are saying that it's Ireland's time, that's what we have been working for," coach Eddie O'Sullivan said on Wednesday. "Dealing with pressure is one of the things that we have to cope with."

O'Driscoll agreed: "The expectation levels have risen for a reason."

Despite Ireland's ambitions, England remain the narrow bookmakers' favourites at 6-4, largely due to the fact that their clash with France on February 13 is at Twickenham.

However, Andy Robinson's rebuilding plans, which started encouragingly in the November internationals, have been thrown into disarray by a huge injury list, topped by flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson, who is certain to miss the first two games.

Wilkinson, who has not played internationally since his drop goal won the 2003 World Cup final, said on Wednesday he was hopeful of returning from his knee ligament injury in time to be considered for the trip to Dublin on February 27 but it seems an ambitious target.

Wilkinson, however, who will be again replaced as captain by Jason Robinson, said that England's injury list could be a blessing in disguise.

"I'm really looking forward to the enthusiasm and excitement of the new faces," he said.

"There's no hiding place in the Six Nations and though what I've seen in the training sessions has given me enormous confidence it is really important for England to find a marker of where we are as a side at the moment."

France too need to re-establish their credentials despite last year's grand slam.

The team who looked so good throughout 2004 ended the year end in depression when they were mauled in Paris by the All Blacks.

With England and Ireland away this year coach Bernard Laporte faces a tough task to secure a third clean sweep let alone retain the title.

However, the terrific performances of their sides in the Heineken Cup has restored confidence and Laporte was in a positive mood on Wednesday.

"It will be more open this year but we have the players to win it and to win the grand slam," he said.

Wales need to get off to a good start in their first game against England in Cardiff on February 5 as the Welsh rugby public are beginning to tire of encouraging defeats.

But they have not been helped by the confirmation on Wednesday that former captains and back rowers Colin Charvis and Martyn Williams will both miss the opener and probably the trip to Italy.

Scotland are in disarray on and off the field and their Murrayfield meeting with Italy on February 26 looks a certain wooden spoon decider.

Six Nations chairman Jacques Laurans said the tournament's compression into a seven-week period was likely to remain.

"It has built pace, momentum and a heightened sense of excitement," he said.

- REUTERS