O'Driscoll's genius allows D'Arcy's light to shine

I was shocked and deeply saddened, when leaving the ground on Saturday to hear of the death of John McCall in South Africa. Such things cause us all to reflect. My deepest sympathy goes out to his family. Everybody involved in a contact sport, particularly in rugby, lives in fear of something like this happening.

I watched the Ulster Schools' final 10 days ago and this young man was outstanding in leading his team to victory. There will be great sadness over his death.

On the pitch, Ireland's Six Nations Championship, which seemed in trouble after our first outing in Paris, finished on a very high note on Saturday.

The winning margin was reflective of the difference between the teams and with a little less tension in the first half it could have been greater. In fairness to Scotland, they did not just come to make up the numbers and really got stuck in during the opening period. They seemed to target Brian O'Driscoll for a lot of attention, some of which was questionable.

Although Gordon (the unstoppable) D'Arcy was given the man-of-the-match award and played very well, including running in two great tries, I would have had no hesitation whatsoever in giving the award to the Irish captain.

Although he didn't get on the score sheet, this was, for me, O'Driscoll's most complete performance in an Irish jersey. He did everything right in defence and attack. It was appropriate it was two of his passes that set up of the first two tries, from D'Arcy and Geordan Murphy. His defence was magnificent in open field and particularly in the break down, where despite the attention he was getting, he never once hesitated. He really filled the role of senior member of the centre partnership to perfection and how D'Arcy shines beside him.

Isn't it ironic it was an injury to O'Driscoll when playing for Leinster and D'Arcy's subsequent performances in the centre that created the partnership. There are unlikely to be any better partnerships in the world at the moment.

Ronan O'Gara looked out of sorts and not himself from the beginning of the match. That can sometimes happen to a player. It probably contributed to his poor kicking performance. I was surprised Eddie O'Sullivan didn't introduce David Humphreys at half-time, or when Scotland drew level shortly afterwards at 16-16. However, it all came right thereafter and the further tries by David Wallace, who had a superb game, D'Arcy again and Peter Stringer, another star on the day, put the match out of sight.

The Scottish forwards did far better than I expected. Their rucking was very good and their lineout and scrum comfortable. Their backs, however, were dreadful and it was here that the real difference between he teams was to be found.

They never looked like scoring and seemed incapable of making the right decision. In fact, the more ball they had, the more embarrassing it became. The Italian backs were far better. Scotland have fallen a long way. I would not like to have Matt Williams's job.

Looking at the Celtic League results between Irish and Scottish sides as well as the under-21s, there is no difference between them and the senior international score on Saturday.

O'Sullivan and the Irish management can be well pleased with their performance in the championship. At the weekend they clearly had their homework done on the Scottish defence and the first two tries, in particular, came from set moves, which were well planned and executed.

For years Ireland had a problem creating chances and then taking those that did come. Not with this bunch of players, though. There is loads of football talent and try-scoring potential there.

It is great to win a Triple Crown again and, as I said on Saturday, beating England in any year in the foreseeable future should give us a Triple Crown.

With regard to the championship I would have been more pleased had Ireland shared it with France and England with all three teams finishing on eight points each.

I don't believe a championship should be decided on points difference because who is to know what the external forces are? Who is to say Ireland would not have run in more points against Italy had the weather been better? Also, the England game against France began in Paris after Ireland had played their final match.

I am sure O'Sullivan and his team will enjoy this success and will aim for even better next season when we have France and England at home.

Well done to everybody.