Sole predicts good year for Irish

SCOTLAND are backing Ireland to give England and company another run for their money in the battle for the Six Nations title — even without Keith Wood.

Wood all but ruled himself out of the reckoning yesterday but former Scottish captain David Sole believes Ireland are capable of a glorious year anyway.

“They looked pretty good against us and Scotland don’t lose too many matches by that margin, home or away. It didn’t seem to trouble them that they had to line out without Keith.