Is O'Driscoll Ireland's greatest player?

WHILE passion, excitement and drama were very much in evidence at all three Six Nations venues last weekend, the quality of rugby was somewhat disappointing.

In a tournament of this nature, nobody wants to lose the opening encounter. As a result an element of fear tends to dominate.

While Eddie O'Sullivan will be concerned with certain aspects of his team's performance on Sunday, there was nothing in the displays of the other sides to suggest Ireland can't win this championship.

Over the past few seasons England's strength in depth has always been of sufficient quality to cope with injuries.

Eighteen months ago, in the build up to the World they sent their second team to Cardiff and hammered the full Welsh team. A lot has changed since then. On the evidence of last weekend, their resources are currently stretched to the limit.

Their next encounter with France is a huge game in the context of their season. Lose that and they travel to Lansdowne Road under severe pressure.

If Ireland were guilty of under-performing on Sunday, where does one begin to assess the French? I have never seen a French side perform as poorly as they did in the opening 40 minutes against Scotland.

The only downside from Ireland's perspective is that by the time they arrive in Lansdowne Road they will surely have sorted out their best XV.

When one considers the quality of performance served up by Toulouse, Biarritz and Stade Francais in the Heineken Cup, it is hard to fathom how France could be so bad. It can only be explained by poor selection.

With Serge Betson already restored to the squad (subject to a positive outcome from his citing by Wasps today), he will surely start against England. It is only a matter of time before his Biarritz colleague Imanol Harinordoquy is re-introduced.

The balance of the French backrow against Scotland was wrong and even Sebastian Chabal, who has been in outstanding form for Sale, suffered as a result.

The selection of Delaigue and Mignoni at half-back misfired badly. Delaigue is currently the third choice place kicker for Castres. It is inconceivable in the modern era that a team can enter the test arena without a proven goal kicker.

Bernard Laporte almost paid the ultimate price. What was even more mystifying was his failure to introduce Frederic Michalak until the last five minutes.

Over the past few seasons the England versus France clash was always seen as the championship decider. On Sunday, a number of established players on both sides are playing for their international future.

It will be interesting to see how Wales develop as a team on the back of last weekend's well-deserved victory over the "old enemy."

It is imperative Mike Ruddock brings his squad down to earth as quickly as possible. Buoyed on by their positive performance against Ireland, the Italians are ready and waiting in Rome.

If Wales are still in celebratory mode, they could be in trouble. The difficulty for Wales now is that a strange fixtures schedule sees them play three away games in a row.

Successive trips to Rome, Paris and Edinburgh is a big ask for the players. One wonders what shape they will be in when they return to the Millennium Stadium for their final outing against Ireland.

Given the doubts surrounding the championship pedigree of Italy and Scotland entering this tournament, it was incredible that the biggest winning margin over the weekend was Ireland's 11-point victory.

Scotland have every reason to feel shattered with their narrow defeat. A draw would have been a fairer result.

On Sunday, Brian O'Driscoll once again proved why he is, in my opinion, the best ever to play for Ireland.

He always performs when the need is greatest and his value to this Irish side cannot be overstated. While he has been selected for Saturday, he must be a serious doubt.

Scotland's spirited performance in Paris will provide a timely reminder to the Irish squad just how difficult a place Murrayfield can be.

Under severe pressure at home, Matt Williams has simplified Scotland's game plan. When he first took over he favoured a high tempo, ball in hand game. However, Scotland lacked the skill set to implement his vision.

Given the lack of any quality game-breakers behind the scrum, they have reverted to a kicking game where territory is king. Their out-half Dan Parkes successfully implementing it and was ably assisted by the highly impressive scrum-half Chris Cusiter.

Ian McGeechan has spoken in glowing terms about Cussiter and even at this early stage, he looks certain to travel with the Lions.

The implementation of the new tackle law has increased even further the necessity for including a ground hog at No 7. Hence, the introduction of Johnny O'Connor. Denis Leamy has had an outstanding season to date and is destined for greater things.

The Irish pack will be looking to set the record straight in Edinburgh. The Scottish scrum is nowhere near as strong as Italy and is particularly vulnerable at tight head. Ireland must look to punish them in this area.

With Scott Murray restored to the second row against France, their lineout was as productive as ever.

Willie Anderson coaches a forward unit against Ireland for the first time and he knows better than most where Ireland may be vulnerable.

The forward exchanges should be fascinating.

Despite the team announcement yesterday, there is considerable doubt over the composition of the Irish midfield. With D'Arcy and O'Driscoll on board, I would confidently expect an Irish victory.

Without them the margin for error has been reduced. In any event, the forwards must perform. They hold the key.