Three battles Ireland must shade to beat Wales

DONAL LENIHAN: Let’s get this one out of the way early, given that you are going to be subjected to a diatribe of Gattygate over the next five days. I promise not to refer to it again... at least until Monday morning.

Irish Examiner rugby columnist, Donal Lenihan, throws his eyes over the key areas in this afternoon's Six Nations clash with Scotland.

In the ever-changing world of professional rugby, very little can be taken for granted. With just four months left in the European club season, no side can say with any degree of certainty who and in what tournament they will be playing in next season.

A fresh start, a new beginning. That is the beauty of a Six Nations campaign. Regardless of what has happened in the recent past — in Ireland’s case, that heartbreaking defeat to New Zealand in November, following on from our lowest finish in a Six Nations last season — the next seven weeks is full of opportunity.

While it’s a bit premature yet to suggest the good days are back for Munster, there is no question Rob Penney is making a significant impact on the continued development of his side.

The drama and uncertainty surrounding the make up of the Heineken Cup quarter-finals extended through to the final game of round six in Clermont-Ferrand.

THE most satisfied man in Irish rugby last Sunday night was Joe Schmidt. On a weekend that saw the return to action of Rory Best, Conor Murray, Simon Zebo and Cian Healy, following hot on the heals of Chris Henry and Tommy O’Donnell, Ireland’s squad for the upcoming Six Nations — announced yesterday with all bar Zebo included — received a serious boost.

Another week, another new tournament on the horizon.

While it’s customary to reflect on rugby events at this time of year, I no more than you have an appetite for that.