Battle of Ireland

BUCKLE up. Hold on to your seat. Take a deep breath and get ready for an emotional white-knuckle ride that should come with a health warning.

After weeks of hype, hysteria over tickets and the usual histrionics – it’s time to rumble.

Forget the Six Nations, shut out talk of Grand Slams and tuck the Lions suitcase under the bed (for a few weeks at least). There’s the small matter of the Heineken Cup to sort out – and the carrot of history to further whet the appetite.