All systems go for O'Sullivan

After a "sharp run-out" Eddie O'Sullivan's plans for Ireland's Six Nations opener against Italy at Landowne Road are falling into place nicely.

No injuries to report, a mild weather forecast for tomorrow and a malleable gameplan to counter what was a slightly surprising selection from the opposition means that Ireland's first foray back on the international stage, since a disappointing autumn campaign, looks to be in good shape.

O'Sullivan didn't expect Pierre Berbizier to select Cristian Stoica at fullback, Mirco Bergamasco in the centre and reshuffle his front row. But despite some juggling from Italy he doesn't expect their defence to capitulate as easily as it did in the Wallabies defeat last year.

"They may use Stoica as a target runner, ye know he's a huge ball carrier for them, coming from fullback which means he'll be probably be running faster than ever," O'Sullivan surmised.

"Every coach goes in to a game with his gameplan based around the players he has available, I am sure Pierre has the set-up in his mind vis-a-vis playing Ireland."

O'Sullivan expects much the same as most would from Italy but stressed that knowing their tactics and counteracting them are far from the same thing.

"It will be interesting to see what they roll-out. They are going to go to their forwards, which they always have. They have a very strong pack and we've seen that they can move the ball if they get the platform up front. It's up to us not to give them the platform, and at the same time, create a platform for ourselves to run because I think we have a very exciting backline for tomorrow."

The coach's enthusiasm to see his backline in action is shared by most observers and it's indicative of the swell in optimism after Munster and Leinster's memorable contribution to the final Pool games of the Heineken Cup three weeks ago.

Though the Irish camp is keen to play down the "hype" surrounding that weekend there is a notable up turn in mood within it. The return of key players, most prominently captain Brian O'Drsicoll and his deputy Paul O'Connell, coupled with the general buzz of another Six Nations campaign have contributed to a spring in the step.

"I think everyone is in good form, it's the Six Nations as well, it's a big tournament for us. There is always a sense of excitement going into a Six Nations. I think it's reflected in the coverage it gets in the media and hype that goes with it. Which is good.

"Also, I think the players are in good form at the moment," O'Sullivan added. "They are confident in their own games and having Brian and Paul back has added to things as well, So things have come together nicely but, ye know, we haven't actually played yet and the trick is to bring that into the international arena with us, starting tomorrow."

For his part, O'Driscoll has noticed the sharpness returning since his recuperation from injury and feels confident he can continue to progress. His much vaunted performance in Bath however, has seen him ward off predictions that he is about to have a very special tournament. Simple things done right and a contribution to a win are what matters to the Leinster centre.

"I had a half decent game against Bath and people started blowing things out of proportion a bit," he said. "You just get games like that, where things go well for you, you get a bit of ball in hand and just the run of the ball is with you."

"I don't treat that game as a big step towards coming back, I think I have gradually started get better and better. As far as I'm concerned if I can do the simple things right tomorrow, defend well and create something here and there, I'm happy."

Chances to put the game out of Italy’s reach have to be earned however, and to do so, means concentrating on one of the few constants in rugby according to O’Sullivan.  A solid platform to throw it out wide.

"You can talk about this game all you want but there’s a few parts of it that never change and that’s one of things that never changes about rugby, is if you get a good platform from your forwards, your backs can play rugby, and if you don’t, it’s very hard to play."

Keeping it tight with good discipline in the forwards takes on added importance when confronted with a form outhalf, and that is what O’Sullivan believes Italy have in the Ramiro Pez.  With a penalty-kicking success rate of over 90 per cent, the Perpignan player is a figure the coach would like to keep quiet.

"Like a lot of players in key positions if his confidence is up he’ll play well.  I think his confidence is up at the moment and he’s had some very solid performances for them," O’Sullivan said of the outhalf.

"He is a key guy for them in terms of their running and kicking game and I expect him to run the game pretty well tomorrow."

Not too well of course.