ON RUGBY: Entering Stade Jean Bouin in Paris last Saturday, for the European Cup quarter- final between Munster and Stade Francais, it was evident yet again that the Munster faithful had travelled in their thousands to support the team. Are there any better supporters in the game?

Pointing across to Parc de Princes, which lies adjacent to Stade Jean Bouin, one of the Munster supporters said to me: "I hope we have a more luck here than Ireland had over there."

He was referring to the fact that, in 12 matches between 1974 and 1996, Ireland had to endure 12 defeats at the hands of the French.

There were a few near misses for Ireland, such as in 1974, 1978 and 1980, when the French won by 9-6, 10-9 and 19-18 respectively. But we had more than a few real hammerings on that ground, days when you wanted to look away, times when you wanted the final whistle to blow to stop further humiliation.

There was, of course, an understandable level of apprehension about Munster's prospects against such formidable opposition, a team that had never lost a European Cup match on their own soil. It was probably heightened by the close proximity of Parc des Princes and the unhappy experiences endured on that ground. Playing against the French on home territory, be it club or country, always amounts to a huge challenge, and there is a big psychological factor involved. The atmosphere is, too, invariably intimidating.

What we did know was that Munster would not yield easily, and they knew what was required to win in France - as they had proved three times already in the competition against Colomiers, Toulouse and Castres over the previous three years.

WHAT we got was a performance that yet again enlivened the heart and the spirit as this team once more wrote its name with pride across the European scene. Munster's exploits in this competition not alone captured the hearts of the country two years ago, but also lifted Irish rugby onto a new level as the Ireland side was recast and the management turned to so many of the men who had steered Munster into the semi-final of the cup in 2000 and subsequently to the final that year.

Last Saturday was an occasion to rank with the very best of the many great days this team has given us. It was an occasion that needed a great depth of courage and character to go with the undoubted talent in the team, and that runs deep.

Dean Richards, the Leicester director of Coaching, got it right when he said: "That win over Stade Francais and the manner in which it was attained has to rank as one of the best in the history of the tournament. That Munster team has proved itself over and over again."

Honest and well deserved praise.

The pack did a splendid job, and Peter Stringer, at their heels, was magnificent. And it is significant that Stringer's presence coincided

with a return to form of Ronan O'Gara.

Stringer is crucial to that team and is equally so to the Ireland side.

The whole team deserves immense praise and indeed our gratitude for what they have given Irish rugby, and the same can be said of the coaching and management team. The Munster team has given us many great days and many great memories, and now we can look forward to the semi-final in April with eager anticipation.

THIS weekend marks the start of the Six Nations Championship and there is always a tremendous air of excitement as we await the start of this great annual series. For Ireland, there is also a level of expectation and, I suppose it true to say, some little anxiety too. Then, to add spice to the occasion, this will be the first match under the new Ireland coaching combine of Eddie O'Sullivan, Declan Kidney and Nial O'Donovan.

Well, Munster set the right tone in Paris last Saturday, now let us hope we will see more of the same on Sunday at Lansdowne Road against Wales, a total level of dedication and concentration and depth of character and will. A win in the first match, especially when it is at home, is a must for a good series.

England go in again as favourites to win the championship and they deserve that rating on their record. most will see France as their main challengers. Well, let us hope that Ireland can upset those forecasts. Keith Wood is a great loss, and his absence has to be allied to those of Malcolm O'Kelly and Shane Horgan. But the players are still on hand to get Ireland off to a winning start.

It is a very special day for Peter Clohessy, winning his 50th cap. And for Mick Galwey captaining his country for the first time in a championship match and, at 35 years and four months, the oldest man to do so in the post-second World War war era.

LAST October Ireland went to Cardiff and won 36-6. But that will not, nor should it, induce the slightest element of complacency in the Ireland team. Quite apart from that record loss to Ireland, Wales go into the match against a very indifferent background this season. Wales lost to Argentina 30-16 and to South Africa 21-13. They beat Romania 81-9 and Tonga 51-7.

That is not a track record to send tremors down the spine. Cardiff has long since ceased to be the fortress it once was. In addition to that Ireland win in October, Wales lost to England in Cardiff 44-15. However, in contrast to that - and here is a warning to Ireland - last season the Welsh side were unbeaten in their three away championship matches. They beat France in Paris 43-35, beat Italy in Rome 33-23 and a drew with Scotland at Murrayfield 28-28.

But, in conclusion, another cautionary note for Ireland on Sunday: The Welsh have lost only twice in Dublin in the last six visits. Ireland won in 1990 and again in 1996. Wales won in 2000, 1998, 1994 and 1992.

Those statistics will not have escaped the vigilance of Eddie O'Sullivan, his management team, nor indeed the Irish players.