Analysis: Mick Galwey on why Ireland have genuine reasons tobe optimistic this year.

There are a number of factors that need to go right if Ireland are to win the Six Nations. Foremost among them is in place now - namely, a good team. Ireland have a fabulous team, they've good players. The sequence of fixtures has also fallen well for us. Of course, you'd have to look at England and France as being the favourites, but we play them in Lansdowne Road and Ireland performed well there in the autumn internationals. It is a good way to have it.

You also need an amount of luck, too, and from Ireland's perspective you could say the Six Nations is coming at a good time. Leinster have had great success in the European Cup and so have Munster, while Ulster have also put in strong performances.

Importantly, the bulk of the Irish players come from these three provinces and they have shown, as they did before Christmas, that they can switch from provincial to international rugby. That shows me that all the players are currently playing very good rugby.

You can look at the strength in depth that's there by taking a look at some of the players that didn't make the squad. Jeremy Staunton and Donncha O'Callaghan, both of whom played exceptionally well in the Celtic League final, and Mike Mullins. And they're just from Munster.

Take other players like Ronan O'Gara, Brian O'Driscoll or Peter Stringer. Those three are exceptionally good backs but they have even more experience now than they had two years ago and they are getting better the whole time. Be it with the provinces or with Ireland, the players are now winning a lot more games than they are losing. That's a step in the right direction.

Another important factor is that not a lot of the players are injured and a number of players who have been injured are coming back into the system. Of course Keith Wood would be a big loss to any team. He was world player of the year two years ago, but Shane Byrne is playing exceptionally well and Frankie Sheahan has had an exceptional season with Munster.

There's also depth available. If, say, Ronan was injured David Humphreys is there. That's a strength. The side has good players to step in if someone gets injured.

With regard to the captain's job, I think Brian taking over from Keith has been a big ask. But in fairness the test for Brian was the Australian match and the players all reacted very well around him. They got behind him. He hasn't been around for a long time but he leads by example. In many ways, that's the best way to play. He led and played exceptionally well himself and the rest of the players went with him. I think the captaincy has suited him.

The team know they haven't won in Scotland for a long time. A win would give them momentum and confidence and set up the international season very well. I think, actually, this match will be our biggest test because of the history that's there.

It's also important from a continuity point of view. If we win in Murrayfield you'd have to fancy our chances against Wales and Italy away. The games against France and England will then be huge.

But home advantage is always a big factor in rugby and the Scots play very well at home. They are like Ireland in Lansdowne Road, but they will be very aware that Ireland haven't beaten them there for a long time.

For the players, the win over Gloucester in the European Cup and Neath in the Celtic League final will have a direct affect. The confidence the Munster players picked up will rub off, while the other big factor is that Leinster are unbeaten this year in the European Cup.

I honestly think that Ireland can match England and France because we have them at home. We managed to beat them two years ago, and if you look at the team now, you'd have to say it is better. I'd be very optimistic about the season. I believe we could be in there with a chance of winning the Six Nations and I wouldn't say that lightly or for the sake of saying it. We are dark horses and we don't fear teams any more.

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