Eddie O'Sullivan was probably busy in the two hours before kickoff and missed Wales' stuttering but comprehensive win over Italy. When he reviews it this week he will realise that despite his would-be nemesis Warren Gatland talking up the men in red, the reality is that the Kiwi has been extremely lucky with an average squad. Irelan dare not an average squad; they just play like one.

On paper the Irish coach has moved on from the Rugby World Cup and made changes to his side. The reality is that he has belatedly recognised the quality of players like Jamie Heaslip and in the nick of time realised that specialist wings have a place in rugby union. Rather than plaudits for change, the coach should be criticised for a failure to follow good coaching practice.

For Scotland to win they had to dominate Ireland at the setpiece. Doubts were there after the Italian and French games that the Irish line-out system had been broken. The early line-outs were depressing as Bernard Jackman twice from his first three attempts failed to find the jumpers. The confidence seeped through to the visitors and marshalled by Chris Paterson they even turned down a certain three points.

The first try of the match demonstrated just how bad a team Scotland are, when the back- row was undone by the oldest move in the back-row lexicon. The second try was even worse when Rory Lamont went AWOL from his station and left Brian O'Driscoll with merely the problem of finding the spare man. The captain did not disappoint. It got worse after half-time when Lamont continued his nightmare contribution by leaving enough space for a trundling Marcus Horan to collect the pin-point Ronan O'Gara kick.

Much had been made of Scotland's inability to score but the bigger problem is how Frank Hadden's team defends. Every coach in the game starts his planning with the defensive formation. Scottish rugby skills are at a nadir and, contrary to the media's belief in the infallibility of Andy Robinson, the failed England and Lions coach will be no more successful than his predecessors.

Like Paris two weeks ago, what is the real meaning of this Ireland performance? Is the Scottish dominance of the position and possession for the early part of the game the worry for the future? Surely the super-confident Welsh and even the fragile English will give this ordinary Irish team a real test? Watching Paterson orchestrate a quality attacking performance from his team one wondered how Hadden could leave his best player on the bench for the first game and isolate him on the wing for the second. Hadden and O'Sullivan would appear to be soul brothers.

That said the Irish coach showed sensitivity in his handling of Jackman, who was suffering his own personal torment. It made sense to make the change at half- time but he gave the hooker an extra five minutes and his self respect. The line-out improved marginally but in contrast the Scot's setpiece got worse, in no small measure due to the arrival of Paul O'Connell.

Italy and France showed that closing down the Irish midfield neuters the attacking potential. O'Driscoll and Andrew Trimble revelled in the extra space and points clocked up on the board. Geordan Murphy did not do enough to merit retention especially given his position in the coach's opinion. The full-back needs an extended run in the number 15 shirt to deliver a performance to merit his talents. He seemed to try too hard yesterday and force the pass or the break.

For Jamie Heaslip it was another great day at the office and he gives a whole new dimension to picking the ball at the base of the scrum. It is years since an Irish No 8 got so far in front and as wide off the setpiece. It gave his team a powerful target. Despite his efforts the Scots beat us up for long periods and held the ball through innumerable phases. The result was that like Paris, the Irish back-row did more defending than attacking.

If the line-out faltered, the scrum continued its improvement and remained steady throughout. How in their declining years, Horan and John Hayes have effected such an improvement beggars belief and questions what has been going on at sessions over the guts of a decade. The Wales

front-row will not present a difficult challenge and only England have the firepower to trouble the Irish scrum. The omens have just got a whole lot better.

The biggest threat to Ireland's future remains the health of the fly-half. O'Gara, freed of the demons of the Rugby World Cup, is now challenging Dan Carter for the world No 10 title. Jonny Wilkinson has none of the Irishman's vision and passing ability off either hand. Only as a defender does the Englishman get the palm. Yesterday on his 80th appearance the Cork player was majestic and he makes Ireland 10 points a better side.

The biggest improvement was made by Trimble who displayed trademark defending but more importantly he showed hitherto hidden passing skills. If the rate of improvement continues then Gordon D'Arcy will face real competition because on the basis of this game the Ulster player has matured greatly and the disaster of his wing performances may be soon forgotten.

It is perhaps now time for men of good will to get behind the coach and team. O'Sullivan hopefully is chastened by his difficulties and may be a better man for it. It could be the first phoenix from the ashes of Irish rugby.