Wales v Ireland:My big reservation about this Irish team is not their natural ability but whether Eddie O'Sullivan can squeeze the optimum performance from them in the coming weeks and, eventually, before the World Cup rolls around.

A rugby coach's brief can be compared to running a Formula One team. It's about facilitating marginal increases that contribute to the whole team make-up. A one per cent increase in tyre durability, car suspension or the driver's reaction speed combine for an overall improvement that is usually reflected on the winner's podium.

Ireland won because they possess vastly superior players who eventually swamped a Welsh team performing above their talent base. And, of course, Lady Luck smiled upon Ireland (Donncha O'Callaghan and Simon Easterby should have been binned).

Gareth Jenkins deserves a wealth of credit for engineering such a performance in the absence of so many key players.

Ireland were ruthless in taking the try-scoring opportunities which came their way, but the Welsh were way to close for comfort.

In the end, moments of individual brilliance from Brian O'Driscoll and Gordon D'Arcy decided the outcome. Ronan O'Gara had a poor game in general play, but his magnificent place-kicking, especially the two kicks from the right touchline, proved hugely important.

O'Driscoll still had a mountain of work to get through after receiving O'Gara's pass for the second try. He rode three tackles. The captain was also instrumental in the Rory Best touchdown.

And D'Arcy took a marvellous line to allow O'Gara expose the naivety of James Hook for the match-clinching try.

All acts of individual quality. Same names every time.

The Welsh, on the other hand, lacked killer pace outside fullback Kevin Morgan, with Mark Jones and Shane Williams absent through injury, to really threaten.

We identified the Welsh defensive frailties at 10-12-13 and this proved justified as they were ripped asunder at vital stages. Hook received some valuable lessons about the intensity of this level.

O'Driscoll and D'Arcy will have nowhere near this much scope to shine against a French midfield marshalled by Yannick Jauzion, or Jonny Wilkinson and his monstrous England centres. That is presuming they are fit. With Shane Horgan already sidelined, either player's absence would be a nightmare.

The scrum made a marked improvement. It's obvious that a substantial amount of grunt work went in over the past fortnight to ensure the Welsh front five were unable to get a domineering foothold, ala the Leicester Tigers.

A dramatic improvement? Yes, but major technical issues still exist and must be addressed, improved or at least shored up before two better scrummaging machines than the Welsh arrive in Dublin.The pack should have dominated the opposing eight for the whole game, not just in the second half.

Neil Best remains a viable alternative at six, although Simon Easterby had a good game. Actually, all three backrowers played to the standard expected of internationals, but the combination is still off-kilter. A traditional number seven remains the missing link.

Referring back to the Formula One analogy: Keith Gleeson could be the extra one per cent that improves the team's overall make-up.

The flawed selection of Andrew Trimble at right wing was also exposed by some probing kicks from Stephen Jones. Trimble doesn't have the kicking game to deal with such a scenario. Geordan Murphy produced a brilliant cameo when he replaced the blood-binned Denis Hickie, including setting up a platform for O'Driscoll's try with a catch-and-kick that illustrated the essential attributes of a world-class fullback or wing.

Also, leaving only one player behind the defensive line on second phase caused problems that will be exposed by a French backline or the reinvigorated English.

Psychologically speaking, Ireland were off form. They gave off a very nervous vibe that inhibited the performance. Here lies the major issue for O'Sullivan as the pressure stakes hit the stratosphere in this historic week for Irish sport.

A performance above even the Australian game in November, this team's pinnacle to date, is required next Sunday in Croke Park to beat the French.

Talent is not a problem. It comes down to being mentally conditioned for the momentous task that lies ahead. This is where the coach comes in.