Ireland a bigger challenge than England, claim Welsh

IRELAND captain Brian O'Driscoll was last night hailed as the best player in world rugby.

And Wales hooker Jonathan Humphreys also said he believes Ireland are the top team in this season's RBS Six Nations Championship. O'Driscoll and company will arrive at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday, seeking their fourth successive tournament victory after wins against Scotland, Italy and France.

They haven't lost in Cardiff since 1983, and another triumph on Welsh soil would set Ireland up for a full-scale Grand Slam assault at home to England eight days later.