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.

When the side was finally revealed, just prior to lunch-time, it was greeted with shock and disbelief as the Irish coach kept faith with the tried and tested. Eleven of the side which started against Argentina last September retained their places, the four new faces were only forced upon the selection committee through a combination of injury, suspension and retirement.

According to the management team, this selection was based largely on form. However when examined in more detail, this certainly appears not to be the case. The exclusion of Bernard Jackman, Jamie Heaslip and Tommy Bowe beggars belief. Jackman has been inspirational for Leinster over the past six months. His line-out accuracy has improved dramatically and statistically he's one of the most successful hookers in the Heineken Cup this season. When you add in his open-play dynamism, it's hard to understand how the former Connacht number two is confined to the bench. The same arguments can be applied to his provincial colleague, Jamie Heaslip.

The in-form number eight in Europe this year, Heaslip has been superb both in attack and defence. His ability to break the gain-line with ball-in-hand is invaluable and certainly a characteristic sadly lacking from the Irish side recently. Finally there's the unfortunate Tommy Bowe. The Ulsterman was the standout attacking option during his province's recent European Cup clash with Gloucester at Kingsholm. Bowe terrorised the home defence for eighty minutes with a combination of searing pace and intelligent angles. It's no wonder the Dungannon man has decided to ply his trade across the Irish Sea with the Neath/Swansea Ospreys from next season.

So experience appears to be the call of the day. The Irish coach is clearly under pressure to deliver the right results and he feels that his best chance lies in the arms of the old reliables. Ireland should easily account for an Italian side still learning under their new coach Nick Mallet. However it's the manner of the performance that will interest most.

The centre-pairing of Gordon D'Arcy and Brian O'Driscoll has long been recognised as one of the most exciting and explosive partnerships in world rugby. This duo has been misfiring of late and much of Ireland's hopes will hinge upon their respective performances. At out-half Ronan O'Gara once again has a spring in his step and the number 10's return to form may well prove the catalyst in reigniting the stuttering centres.

The line-out is one area where Eddie O'Sullivan will look to attack. With Simon Easterby lining out at six, the Irish coach has a third genuine attacking option on his own throw. At the same time, a suspected fractured eye socket rules out the influential Marco Bortolemi from the Italian pack and his absence may prove too big a hole for the Azzuri to fill. Donncha O'Callaghan's recent destructive display against Wasps in the European Cup confirmed the Cork man's return to form and his experience will prove crucial at the weekend.

Saturday's game offers this Irish side the perfect opportunity to regain some much-needed confidence. With an away clash with France looming large, this side need to put in an assured display and get the tournament off to a winning start. Given the turmoil that has surrounded the recent performances of the national side, a moral-boosting victory against Italy may be just the tonic required before facing the daunting trip to Paris seven days later.

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