6N History (2000-05): 3rd, 2nd, 3rd, 2nd, 2nd (Triple Crown), 3rd (Grand Slam ambitions last year proved illusory).

Coach: Eddie O'Sullivan. The fast-talking tactician brought Ireland a Triple Crown but Championship success has remained elusive. Now reconstructing an ageing team.

Age: 27 Caps: 59 Tries: 27

Captain: Brian O'Driscoll. Enjoyed great success since succeeding the talismanic Keith Wood; looking to reassert himself after Lions misfortune.

Big man: Prop John Hayes. 'The Bull' stands 6ft 4in and tips the scales at 20 stone, giving the scrum plenty of grunt and the line-out plenty of lift.

You're on the wrong side y'eejit

Enforcer: Lock Paul O'Connell calls the shots in the engine room, while veteran prop Reggie Corrigan often packs a punch - sometimes quite literally.

Brains and brawn: His kicking angles mark him out as a geometrical genius, but it is law that David Humphreys specialises in after graduating from Queen's University.

Byrne's straight from the Hoddle and Waddle school of hair care Hair-raising barnets

Bad hair day: O'Driscoll has ditched the blond highlights, but "The Mullett", Shane Byrne, is still in his pomp.

Southern intruders: Australian flanker Keith Gleeson has been overtaken by other young upstarts, but Kiwi scrum-half Isaac Boss is making a case for inclusion.

Bogey fixture: Turned round poor home records against Wales and Scotland since 2000, but a stunning win at Twickenham two years ago was only their second since 1982.

Prospects: Victories from three home games should be in range, but could be down and out in Paris and London.

Odds to win title: 14-1, 66-1 Grand Slam, 11-1 Triple Crown.