CHANCES are that a swirling wind will blow all over Lansdowne Road this afternoon. And they are just the conditions Ireland and France would gladly do without in a match that will play a major part in deciding the destination of the RBS 6 Nations Championship for 2005.

Ireland's rugby plans, along with those of thousands of supporters have been thrown into disarray as a result of the potentially catastrophic outbreak of foot and mouth disease in these islands.

”SWAP kings”, I think it was Patrick Sarsfield was quoted as saying after the Battle of the Boyne, ”and we’ll fight ye all over again!”