Six Nations Miscellany

Memory Lane/Treviso, May 6th, 1995 Ireland 12, Italy 22: Not the fondest memory in the bank but 10 years on it's worth rehashing - if anything to display the current rude good health (Apologies in advance if this is a kiss of death).

Amateur Ireland, trained by current Leinster assistant coach Gerry Murphy, arrived in Treviso in high spirits having halted a Five Nations whitewash by overcoming Wales at Cardiff Arms Park on March 18th, 16-12 - a game that marked Brendan Mullin's last international try and then record of 17.

The friendly (Italy were still in the wilderness) was supposed to be a handy warmer-upper before the pending World Cup in South Africa but instead Ireland were emptied by a team directed by Diego Dominguez that contained quality wingers Paolo Vaccari and Marcello Cuttitta. The latter's highly-rated brother, Massimo, ruled the front row, while lock Mark Giacheri dominated out of touch.

The trip can be forgotten for so many reasons - not least the hotel bar bill after the complimentary Guinness keg ran dry.

However, some young seeds did come to fruition thereafter. Paul Burke kicked all Ireland's points that day, while Johnny Bell began his centre partnership with Mullin that lasted through the World Cup.

Also, modern day referee Alain Rolland came in for David O'Mahony after the scrumhalf withdrew with an ankle injury that he actually started the match with. In fairness, who cries off on their first cap. It was also his last.

The real survivor from that day was a young blindside flanker named Anthony Foley. Every cloud . . .

How they lined out in 1995

IRELAND: J Staples; R Wallace, B Mullin, J Bell, Darragh O'Mahony; P Burke, David O'Mahony; N Popplewell, T Kingston, G Halpin; D Tweed, G Fulcher; A Foley, P Johns, E Halvey. Replacements: A Rolland, M Field.

Head to head

Anthony Foley v Andrea Parisse

Old school versus new wave. Judging from the 2003 World Cup, Parisse's talent is undisputed but its unlikely he will match the sort of career Foley has pieced together (see memory lane).

Although just 21, the Treviso loose forward was exposed to international rugby a full three years ago, against the All Blacks no less,but has been hampered by injury pretty much ever since.

Foley, on the other hand, is in the form of his life and has never taken a backward step on the international scene - a late try during the Twickenham hammering/watershed in 2000 springing to mind - so even the hugely talented Parisse may learn a lesson or two.

This is also a battle of the back row with the Italians unleashing two quality flankers in Aaron Persico and Mauro Bergamasco against Simon Easterby and a modern day version of Foley in Denis Leamy.

Radio coverage

Like television, this is a straight shootout between RTÉ and the BBC.

As ever, Michael Corcoran flies the Irish commentary flag, with 1985 Triple Crown winning captain Ciarán "where's your f**king pride" Fitzgerald by his side.

In studio, heavyweight panellist Victor Costello and Donal Lenihan wax lyrical.

There is live commentary throughout, although if Ireland are tanking the Italians expect Brian Farrell's voice to come in from one of the many football matches around the country as the National League also starts Sunday.

If you are bothered, Ian Robertson and Rob Andrew can be heard over on the Beeb.

RTÉ - radio one. BBC - Radio five live, Radio 4LW and Five live sports extra.

New Team Jersey

Ireland's new team jersey, designed by Canterbury, has gone even more body hugging for this year's Six Nations. Still some collar though.

Before parents start comparisons with the English soccer clubs shirt craze it is fair to point out this is the first change in three years, while there is now a choice of three jerseys: "Classic loop-neck", "armourfit-pro" and "armourfit-test" - the authentic playing jersey made from Canterbury's Temex fabric and worn by the national team.

They remain predominantly green, but feature white under-arm and side panels, while the two white hoops on the sleeve have been removed. Canterbury inform us the average retail price will be €75 for adults and 50 for kids - that's a significant reduction on the current price tag of 100. Confirmation of this will be revealed when it hits the shops today.

Women at Murrayfield

Following on from the Twickenham experience last season, the Irish woman's rugby team will play Scotland in Murrayfield next Saturday at 5 p.m., well, whenever the men's games over.

It's hoped this year, unlike the England match, they will not be shunted out the door on the full-time whistle (granted, preceding the main event didn't help). Like the men, they launch a new jersey next Wednesday at sponsors O'B sport showrooms in Sandyford. Next week, this column will give a few lucky souls the chance to win the new jersey.

Bookies corner

There is a couple of tempting Irish outside backs worth a punt for top try scorer with captain Brian O'Driscoll (12 to 1), Shane Horgan (12 to 1), Denis Hickie (12 to 1), Geordan Murphy (14 to 1) and Gordan D'Arcy (16 to 1). Nevertheless, we fancy Welsh captain Gareth Thomas odds at 20 to 1.

Despite all their injury problems, Scotland with 24 points at home look like a tasty enough handicap, especially with France lacking serious quality.

Wales and England even with the handicaps is too close to call but we'll still go with England at minus 7.5.

Handicaps: France hcp -24.5 5/6 v Scotland hcp +24.5 5/6; Wales hcp +7.5 5/6 v England hcp -7.5 5/6.

Top Try Scorer: Six Nations 2005: 5/1 Jason Robinson, 6/1 Mark Cueto, 8/1 Christophe Dominici, 9/1 Josh Lewsey, 10/1 Tait Mathew, Aurelien Rougerie and Pepito Elhorga, 12/1 Denis Hickie, and Brian O'Driscoll, 14/1 Shane Williams, Damien Traille, Rhys Williams, Shane Horgan, Brian Liebenberg and Geordan Murphy, 16/1 Smith Ollie, Jamie Noon, Girvan Dempsey and Gordan D'Arcy, 18/1 Tom Shanklin, 20/1 Hal Luscombe and Gareth Thomas, 25/1 Hugo Southwell, Walter Pozzebon and Frederik Michalak, 33/1 Dimitri Yachvili, Christopher Paterson, Charlie Hodgson, and Lewis Moody, 50/1 Steve Thompson.

(odds courtesy of Boylesports)