That Ireland have improved on the rugby pitch since last season seems to be borne out by the recent world rankings as drawn up by Rugby News magazine.

Not only is Keith Wood (above) rated as the number one hooker in the world by the magazine's writers but every other position except inside centre has an Irish name in the first 10.

Geordan Murphy is third choice full back, Tyrone Howe the 10th ranked winger and Brian O'Driscoll is ranked at four in the outside centre position.

Munster's Peter Stringer is ranked third at scrum half as is his provincial partner Ronan O'Gara at outhalf. In the front row Wood is accompanied by fifth ranked John Hayes and third placed Peter Clohessy at loosehead. Anthony Foley claims the fifth ranking at number eight, Kieron Dawson the sixth ranked flanker and Malcolm O'Kelly the sixth ranked lock.