Ireland's RBS 6 Nations campaign has been given a timely lift after it was revealed today that Paul O'Connell is on course to face Scotland on February 23rd.
O'Connell missed yesterday's unconvincing 16-11 victory over Italy with a back injury that had threatened to rule him out for the rest of the season.
But after one abortive comeback, the feared Munster lock has made encouraging progress in his recovery and coach Eddie O'Sullivan has cautiously pencilled him in against the Scots.
"I'm careful with Paul because he was doing well in the build-up to the Six Nations only to wake up one morning in big trouble," he said. "It's one of those injuries that can act up but now his rehabilitation is going well.
"The plan is for him to play maybe half a game with Munster A against Ulster A next weekend.
"The week after he'll play in the Magners League and if he gets through that he'll come into the frame for the Scotland game. That's the plan but I'm being careful because Paul had a similar plan a few weeks ago that came unstuck."
News of O'Connell's expected arrival midway through the Six Nations will be welcomed by Irish fans dismayed by yet another disappointing display from their heroes.
O'Sullivan today stressed the need to stop discussing the World Cup but memories of that nightmarish month in France will not be dispelled while his team continue to toil on the pitch.
They laboured to victory against Italy, favourites for the wooden spoon, despite making a rousing start through Girvan Dempsey's 17th-minute try.
Ronan O'Gara teed up a crossfield kick for Andrew Trimble which the Ulster winger collected before supplying the scoring pass to Dempsey.
Ireland remained in command through O'Gara's precision kicking, although problems at the lineout and Italy's zeal at the breakdown hampered their momentum.
Croke Park was struck by a power failure five minutes before half-time, sending frantic radio crews into panic, and Ireland's play also began to flicker.
Attacking opportunities arrived thick and fast but they failed to finish several chances and the persistent Azzurri knew at 13-3 heading into the finale quarter they were still in the hunt.
Leicester prop Martin Castrogiovanni barged over following a lineout catch and drive with the television match official taking several minutes before approving the score.
And full-back David Bortolussi added a penalty to post the Azzurri a converted try away from victory, but Ireland finished strongly.
O'Sullivan attempted to put a gloss on his side's faltering start to the Six Nations but conceded they would have to be more ruthless against France on Saturday.
"The performance in general was not bells and whistles but I was happy enough with what I saw," he said.
"We didn't click when we needed to, but there is belief in the squad. Six Nations rugby is about progressing so we'll have to be more accurate against France.
"I'd like us to tighten up the lineout against France. We'll need to practice our scrum as well because the French will test us there."
O'Sullivan's assertion that it was an acceptable opener was not shared by a full house at Croke Park, who jeered when the coach appeared on the large television screen near the end.
His job over the coming weeks has not been helped by the loss of Gordon D'Arcy to a fractured forearm for the remainder of the championship.
Either Trimble, who replaced D'Arcy at inside centre against Italy, or Leinster winger Shane Horgan will fill the number 12 jersey against France.
"One of the options is to bring Andrew into the midfield. He had a good game against Italy," said O'Sullivan.
"Shane Horgan played for Ireland A on Friday so he comes into the mix. He needed a game at that level to help him back from his injury problems.
"You have to factor in Shane's experience when considering selection. I haven't yet made up my mind on what the balance will be with Gordon gone."
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