The problem with playing against Italy, especially at home, is that everyone is expecting a cakewalk and even when you deliver a comprehensive win, as Ireland did Saturday, invariably it comes with caveats, writes Donal Lenihan.

Three challenges for Joe Schmidt facing Ireland against Italy today...

I predicted last week that the opening six hours of rugby action that would launch this season’s Six Nations championship would prove very revealing and that’s exactly what transpired, writes Donal Lenihan.

After a worrying Six Nations losing streak on the road, with only one championship success in the last five away fixtures — and that against Italy in Rome last season — Joe Schmidt cut a mightily relieved man to have got this opening win in Paris under his belt.

Ireland carry three key advantages into today’s opening round of the Six Nations at Stade de France, writes Donal Lenihan

Is it any wonder the structure of the professional game in Ireland is the envy of so many of our international counterparts at present?

We were barely beyond the final rounds of the Champions Cup before the mind games — with Eddie Jones as always to the fore — at the Six Nations launch in London last week reminded us that the main course is about to land in our laps pretty soon, writes Donal Lenihan.

The Champions Cup may be heading into a brief period of hibernation but not even the prospect of one of the most competitive Six Nations championships for some time will dampen the enthusiasm for the tournament’s return in April, writes Donal Lenihan.

And then there was eight, writes Donal Lenihan. 

The European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) officials, including board chairman and former England international Simon Halliday, congregated in the tunnel outside the palatial dressing rooms at the U Arena and had every reason to be pleased with themselves.