We're not there yet but we're getting there.

Irish rugby is well and truly out of it's winter of discontent and into a springtime of hope and victories. We are entering the penultimate stage of this year's six nations and so far so good. It's 3 wins from 3 games and we are on track for a first grand slam title of modern times. Obviously I say this with a bit of caution, although Ireland have put the English and French to the sword, who are traditionally the competitions two strongest teams, their toughest games lie ahead.

It’s a return to Murrayfield this weekend to face a Scottish team buoyed by their victory over the Italians. Its fair to the say the Scots have been poor so far this year but no matter how bad a state this team seems to be in they are always a tough team for Ireland to beat. Apart from last years comprehensive win in Croke Park, the previous two meetings were close encounters. Like the Italian game it will be a tough physical battle with plenty of in your face antics and don’t be surprised to see a few handbags been thrown at some stage. Scotland are a team not short of experience. Their talisman full back Chris Patterson has been recalled to the side. This could be a reaction by Frank Hadden to the dismal kicking display of Ronan O’Gara the last day against England. His plan may be to slow the game down entirely, not give the Irish backs any space to run. By doing this the game could be reduced to a battle between the two kickers and if Ronan hasn’t brought his kicking boots Ireland would be in trouble.

I think we’ve seen enough now to be confident that Declan Kidney will not let this happen. Ireland are now a team that are playing with confidence and are patient enough to play a game their way and not let the opposition set the pace. Also Declan is not afraid to make changes when they are needed this is evident by this weekends selection. The addition of Stringer, Leamy, Darcy and Best is refreshing to see. Its adding experience to the side and it is further proof of the depth of this squad. None of the players these 4 are replacing had played badly against England but at this stage in the competition a bit of experience is needed to keep the ship steady.

Having Stringer back in the side shows a more attack minded approach is on the cards, he certainly will deliver quicker ball then O’Leary and don’t even dare question his commitment, this guy will give his life for the team.

Gordon Darcy is the natural partner for O’Driscoll in the centre and is back to his best form. Paddy Wallace is a great passer and his defence work has been outstanding but Darcy is a line breaker and is what’s needed to release the scoring potential of the backs.

Scotland themselves are not short of possible match winners, the Evans brothers are the hot new property at the moment and Hadden seems to give them free reign to run at the opposition. Ulsters’ Simon Danielli had a decent game against the Italians but he won’t have the same kind of space against Ireland, still these three should be closely watched.

Ultimately Ireland will have the edge and will win but it will be a tough physical battle much like the Ireland V Italy game. Ireland will have more space to run the ball and expect to see plenty of tough tackling and old scores settled.

These are two teams that despite the addition of many new young faces know each other well and we may well see a few yellow cards flashed in the 80 minutes.
As I said I should be cautious I don’t want to jinx this but if we win this game and look forward to next Sunday in Cardiff, It’ll be set up for a monumental showdown. And why not be confident we have the players, we have the coach and Lord knows we need something to be positive about.