'CHAOS OFTEN breeds life, when order breeds habit," according to The Irish Times columnist Tony Kinsella last Tuesday. Of course he was knee deep in the ever imploding world of finance. Thankfully our lives are much more complicated than all of that, writes Liam Toland

So what has Irish rugby to show for the Celtic Tiger? Three Triple Crowns, Australian and South African scalps amongst many highlights from the "order" of Eddie O'Sullivan. But from the "habit" of that era sprang the 2007 RWC. So it's time for Declan Kidney to pump a little chaos back into the Irish game, which will once again breath life into us all.

Kidney has a wonderful opportunity and has made a cracking start. Cleverly he's surrounded himself with experts. He's extended the hand across the water and even ventured across himself to meet with the exiles. And in pooling a 41-man squad he has achieved what the previous era couldn't . . . inclusion.

Why has it been eight years since Bob Casey's last cap? That's easy, because for eight years there have been two better secondrows than him. But why has he not been included in squads? Well that's just silly. A man of his experience and hunger can contribute heavily to the Ireland squad and coaching staff. Same, too, for Trevor Brennan, a vastly experienced player with a French perspective. Would Brennan's inclusion within Irish squads have benefited Ireland over the years? Yes, on two counts, as a player and a French exile. Would Ireland have benefited from a little Toulouse? Absolutely.

As coach, Kidney is entitled to make the hard calls on match day as he has shown by omitting Peter Stringer from the Munster starting side and Anthony Foley from the 22 in last season's Heineken Cup final. But there's no way he'd exclude such quality from the Munster squad, a logic he has now continued at national level.

Declan Kidney has also included the provincial coaches, unbelievable isn't it, communicating with the men who coach his players on a weekly basis?

In selecting the 41-man squad he has clearly set out a marker for inclusion but how heavily has he leaned on the ELVs? They are a fact of life for us now and I can't wait to see Kidney's take on them. For instance, the obvious talking point is the scrumhalf berth. Isaac Boss is out, which leaves Eoin Reddan, Peter Stringer and Tomás O'Leary.

Based on the Heineken Cup and the ELVs, O'Leary must be fast approaching a cap. The starting Irish scrumhalf must be able to exploit the five metres at scrum time, but more importantly, he must marshal the defensive system from the scrum more than ever before. Pace becomes hugely important. But to balance that tactical nuance is critical. Here Stringer has the march, not to mention a deadly pass. So maybe it's Reddan as the bridge between both styles.

Next major decision is the bench. Do you want your sub scrumhalf to provide a calming hand on a miss-firing fixture with 20 minutes remaining or do you want a hungry speedster to exploit a fatiguing defence? The ELV effects on squad selection are endless. Who's the best at pulling down the lineout maul? Who's the best at aerial bombardment? Who's the best at the breakdown? It's exhausting!

Fennessy's pub on the South Circular Road, Limerick, was where I witnessed the final step in Brian ODriscoll's rehabilitation when Leinster trounced Wasps. Limerick might not be the most generous of spots towards Leinster but there was a definite underbelly of joy when O'Driscoll scored his tries. "Who scored the try? I think it was O'Driscoll . . . but he broke a nail."

I've always admired O'Driscoll for all the obvious reasons but mostly for the not so obvious. At 20, he was capped against Australia 9,753 miles from home. Soon afterwards he scored three tries for Ireland in Paris, breaking a 27-year hoodoo. At 23, he captained Ireland as Europe came calling. He then toured with the Lions in Australia and went on to lead the Lions in New Zealand.

Our country is sports mad and it's a very long winter to negotiate with many high stools and distractions awaiting the "hero". I admire him not solely for his rugby ability but his ability to resist temptation.

What must it be like to be exposed to so much? He has negotiated serious injury, serious attention and serious begrudgery in his 10 years of top-flight rugby and has come back stronger than ever. All the while O'Driscoll has been the best and most ferocious defender of his era. Do you remember the hit on Paul O'Connell, Leinster v Munster in Lansdowne Road? He is clearly the best defender in his position in the world, a testament to his ability but mostly to his commitment and work-rate. And with four tries in his last two games his joie de vivre has returned.

If ever there was a man who has earned the right to lead Ireland in the new era, it's him.

PS: Speaking of ELVs the International Rules series begins today with what must be enormous pressure on the Irish players to come to terms with major rule changes. If the elite footballers of the 32 counties can adapt without a practice match I'll tip my hat. What RWC 2007 proved above everything is the importance of competitive warm-up fixtures.

But thankfully there's great confidence and life back in Irish rugby for us all to enjoy.