O'Sullivan - former school teacher.

By Duncan Bech, PA Sport

Ireland have been touted as serious Six Nations contenders but the jury is still out on their championship credentials.

They beat France at Lansdowne Road last season, only to be crushed by England in the Grand Slam decider at the same venue.

They went within a point of beating Australia in the World Cup pool stages, but were then hammered by France in the quarter-finals.

Greater consistency is required if they are to genuinely overcome the Anglo-French domination of the tournament, and herein lies the challenge for Eddie O'Sullivan.

Many would say he has done the hard part in lifting Ireland out of the mire of Celtic mediocrity and into the top six of the International Rugby Board rankings.

But the former school teacher is ambitious and will not be content with simply beating the likes of Wales, Scotland and Italy into the bottom half of the championship table.

Appointed as successor to Warren Gatland in time for the 2002 RBS 6 Nations, O'Sullivan guided the Emerald Isle to third place and went one better a year later as Ireland finished second.

He believes the best is yet to come from his side and there are players of genuine world class within Irish ranks, but the depth of English and French rugby is missing.

O'Sullivan has achieved much and his no-nonsense attitude and man-management skills have earnt him the respect of players, confirming his undoubted talent. But whether he can deliver the RBS 6 Nations title with the resources available to him appears doubtful.