Ireland on a wind and a prayer

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.

While the French traditionally like a dry ball and a firm pitch, they will be upset if the wind plays tricks with the already unpredictable nature of the rugby ball.

Gone, too, are the days when Ireland liked the weather to be on its worst behaviour. Even without the luckless Gordon D’Arcy, they have a back line capable of prising open the most resolute of defences in the restricted space currently available on the international arena. It is the kind of stage made for line breakers of the calibre of skipper Brian O’Driscoll and Geordan Murphy.