COLOURS: Emerald green and white.

STADIUM: Croke Park.

ODDS: 4-1.

COACH: Eddie O'Sullivan.

O'Sullivan signed a new four-year deal before Ireland's disappointing World Cup campaign, which damaged his reputation. He will target a big Six Nations with the Lions head coaching position up for grabs. CAPTAIN: Brian O'Driscoll.

Giving the captaincy to the best player does not always work - see Andrew Flintoff - but O'Driscoll is an inspirational leader for Ireland. He led the Lions to New Zealand in 2005 and deserves a Six Nations title for all his commitment to the Irish cause.

STAR PLAYER: Brian O'Driscoll.

While the big-name stars failed to deliver, Brian O'Driscoll was one of the few to keep his reputation intact at the World Cup. The man known as BOD was voted player of the tournament in last season's Six Nations Championship. STRENGTHS: Midfield.

Twelve months ago Ireland boasted arguably the finest midfield combination in world rugby, with Ronan O'Gara an astute playmaker as well as top-class kicker, and Brian O'Driscoll alongside Gordon D'Arcy in the centres. But do they still have it?

WEAKNESSES: Bottle.

Ireland have been capable of winning the Six Nations every year since 2005 and they went into the World Cup expected to be the best performing home nation. But their big-name players are prone to go missing at key times. Can they recover from the World Cup debacle?

DID YOU KNOW? Ireland will come up against two former coaches during the Six Nations - Warren Gatland, who is now with Wales, and England supremo Brian Ashton.

• Ashton rejects national academy role

• Bigger Super 14 playoffs first step in expansion

• Flanker Betsen joins Wasps

• Martin Johnson names NZ tour squad

• Kidney named new Ireland head coach

• Ireland name Declan Kidney as head coach

• Wilkinson to miss England tour of New Zealand

• Scotland name Robinson on staff for Argentina tour

• Johnson handed England manager role

• Johnson handed England manager's role