BBC Sportrugbyunion

SIX NATIONS RECORD (2000-08): 3, 2, 3, 2, 2 (Triple Crown), 3, 2 (TC), 2 (TC), 4. Three Triple Crowns in four years, but title still elusive. Worst Six Nations finish last year saw coach Eddie O'Sullivan depart.

COACH: Declan Kidney. The softly-spoken former Munster guru could take heart from a feisty autumn win over Ireland's bogey side Argentina, but they were brushed aside easily by New Zealand. Intriguing to see if he can transfer Munster's missionary zeal into the Test arena.

CAPTAIN: Brian O'Driscoll. Some thought Kidney might look elsewhere when he took over, but he opted to retain the celebrated centre. This will be his seventh Six Nations campaign as captain, and 10th in all. Ireland's record try-scorer may have lost a yard of pace, but world-class when fit.

RISING STAR: Rob Kearney. Surprisingly switched back to wing in autumn after sterling displays at full-back in New Zealand and Australia last summer, the 22-year-old is an elusive counter-attacking runner, solid under the high ball and a good kicker to boot. A strong Lions contender.

X-FACTOR MATERIAL: Wing Shane Horgan could get a few tips on how to work an audience from his sister Sharon, who co-writes and stars in the award-winning BBC comedy series Pulling. Geordan "Flash" Murphy, sporting the ginger whiskers he grew for charity last year, could probably do a good country-and-western turn.

PROSPECTS: Beating France in first game could provide springboard for success, with England also due in Dublin. Youngsters like Kearney and Luke Fitzgerald look the part, but that elusive title looks out of reach.

ODDS: 9/2