If Ireland are to win in Paris for just the second time in 42 years then they may have to do it the hard way after France coach Philippe Saint-Andre named his strongest side thus far in the Six Nations.

We all know it's Brian O'Driscoll's final home game for Ireland tomorrow.

I can understand why Brian O’Driscoll will be centre stage at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow for his last home game in an Ireland jersey but Paris was really where it all began for him.

A veritable who’s who of rugby, the wider sporting arena, society figures, and even a hint of Hollywood stardust turned out to pay homage to Ireland’s greatest rugby player at the Convention Centre in Dublin last night.

Fourth in the table, one victory from four games and safety from the wooden spoon is not yet guaranteed. It has hardly been a Six Nations to savour for Declan Kidney’s men but tomorrow’s meeting with fifth place Italy is far from a dead rubber, not least because it could be the last time we see Ireland’s greatest ever player take to the field in a green jersey.

Brian O’Driscoll says “the head is good” but the Ireland centre will face a cognitive test today to determine if he can face Italy in Saturday’s final Six Nations clash.

RONAN O’GARA has tipped Ireland to launch a major offensive on the RBS 6 Nations Championship and sees no reason why they cannot garner another Grand Slam, even without the influence of injured skipper Brian O’Driscoll.

DON’T ask me how — I can’t remember — but I read once about the prevalence of crashes amongst Korean airlines and how aviation authorities cut them out.*

BRIAN O’DRISCOLL has spent much of this week playing down the significance of winning his 100th cap for Ireland against Wales at Croke Park this afternoon.

MICHAEL CHEIKA has declared his confidence in back-up out-half Shaun Berne despite admitting he had attempted to recruit fellow Australian Matt Giteau on a short-term contract last week.

THIS morning 30 young Irishmen will wake up in Bordeaux. Like so many millions of Irish people before them they will wake in a foreign place, their hearts full of hope, their ambitions fervently shared by everyone they left behind at home.

Somalia's Islamic movement abandoned the nation's capital today and clan militiamen poured into the streets to take control of Mogadishu, as government forces approached to within 18 miles.