As this season's Six Nations tournament enters its second week, the warning signs are already ominous for an Irish side struggling to reach the required performance levels.

During my early years the consistent instruction to children was to "only speak when you are spoken to".

There was much anticipation and excitement surrounding last Tuesday's announcement of the Irish side for this weekend's opening RBS Six Nations clash against Italy. Considering Ireland's disastrous form during the World Cup last winter, many thought that a time had come for some fresh blood to be introduced to the starting fifteen.

Time is one of the most precious commodities available. But because it is free, like all the best things in life, we take it for granted, all too often failing to utilyse it properly and then blame the ensueing rush on our "shortage of time".

With the final pool stages of this season's Heineken Cup now complete, attentions turn swiftly to the impending Six Nations and the opening fixtures in nine days' time.

I am in Dublin this week participating completing the last session of the UEFA Pro Licence. The Pro Licence is the highest award for Coaching in Europe. It is obviously a prestigious award and even more so because it is the first one undertaken by the FAI.

This weekend's clash against London Wasps is one of the biggest games in Munster's Heineken Cup history. Victory by more than two points (provided they match their opponents with tries scored) will secure a passage into the quarter-finals for a record tenth season in a row.

Another new era begins for Cork City Football Club today. The appointment of Alan Matthews as manager opens a fresh page in the history of the club. The one thing a professional football, and those involved in it, must get used to is change. Change comes fast and furious in the moderm game and it reflects the world we live in.