RUGBY:If Ireland are going to make any impact in New Zealand next September it is paramount they get the process right over the next few weeks, writes MATT WILLIAMS

THIS PROMISES to be the closest Six Nations for years. Certainly the most unpredictable. France, England and Ireland can all win it, while Wales, Scotland and Italy can spoil it for them. France and Ireland possess the talent and experience to do it again, but Martin Johnson’s England have put the best systems in place and their defeat of Australia in November justifies the favourite’s tag.

Let’s put our cards on the table: Ireland have not played well enough in the last 18 months to win this tournament for the second time in two years. A significant improvement is required.

I have the deepest respect for Declan Kidney and his coaching staff: I have either worked with or coached against all of them at some stage in my career.

But they, like all coaches, are responsible for the performance. Right now, judging on the November Tests, the attacking and defensive standards are notably below what they have set in previous seasons.

That has been heavily influenced by changes in the rules of combat. My rugby philosophy has always been about creating systems that deliver the athlete to the ball, be it attack or defence.

Herein lies the problem.

There are three key areas Ireland must, and can, get right to make them a major force in the Northern Hemisphere once again.

1. SET PLAYS: Ireland, marshalled by Paul O’Connell’s lineout, had one of the best first-phase attacks in the world back in 2009.

Brian O’Driscoll’s try to secure a draw against Australia in November 2009 was an example of their potency off scrum ball. The lineout tries against England and Wales last season were further evidence, but more consistency is required.

The return of O’Connell should have a huge impact, if not this week, then by the time France come to Dublin in eight days.

However, other teams have done their homework on the Irish set-piece, coming up with ways to disrupt their lineout and scrums. Ireland have duly reacted by selecting Mike Ross, while the accuracy of lineout throwing should improve now Rory Best is fit again.

Put simply, the forwards must produce high-quality ball to unleash the brilliance of this backline.

2. COUNTER-ATTACK: Without an effective set play, a team must generate opportunities elsewhere (see how well Australia have coped with a malfunctioning scrum).

Readers of my columns will know my views on this: Ireland have no discernible counter-attacking patterns in place as opposed to progressive sides like England, Australia and New Zealand.

Counter-attacking is not just about the fullback and wingers. It is a team effort. The Wallabies constantly position five or six men behind the catcher to immediately create multiple attacking options.

England still lack the individual talent of Ireland, but their counter- and general attacking policy look vastly superior.

Ireland consistently lose their shape and control in attack after three phases. There were signs of improvement against the All Blacks, but another significant leap must be evident in Rome this afternoon, otherwise defeat to France and England is inevitable.

3. DEFENSIVE SYSTEM: There have been uncharacteristic problems here. Ireland won a Grand Slam with an airtight defence. The forwards are bunched too close to the ruck. New Zealand consistently exploited this in November with quick, wide passing as their nine, 10 and 12 took out up to nine Irish defenders with two or three passes.

The game has evolved and so must the Irish defence. November defeats highlight this. Gio Aplon’s try for the Springboks and the Kieran Reid and Sam Whitelock tries for New Zealand all exposed defensive gaps out wide.

On too many occasions, O’Driscoll and Gordon D’Arcy had four or five runners bearing down on them. Not even these two can thrive against those odds.

Bet the house that France, England and Wales will go wide at every opportunity. They see it as the main Irish weakness. The Irish tight forwards need to stop behaving like bees around the honey pot – fill the field and don’t be fearful of leaving space between each other closer in.

Who owns these three problems? The coaches do. And it is up to them to fix it.

Ireland can win the championship, but if they do not fix these problems they can easily finish fourth.

A huge boost to the nation’s sporting morale came this week with the decision of O’Driscoll (Jonathon Sexton and Jamie Heaslip too) to re-sign for two more seasons – effectively ending his career at home. It remains unclear how many more championships he intends to play so his presence should be cherished now. Bring your kids to see him in the flesh so in 20 years they can say “I saw Brian O’Driscoll play rugby”.

Like Pele, Don Bradman and Michael Jordan, we have a great sportsman in our midst. One who has consistently put his commitment to the Irish cause above everything else. The loyalty, effort and bravery he has shown for 12 years makes him an irresistible leader of men.

When O’Driscoll first arrived on the scene in 1999, Ireland were not contenders in the Six Nations, never mind the World Cup, but look where he has brought the team to today. There is a responsibility on the team to measure up to the standards he has set, to ensure they get the best out of him in what remains the ultimate team sport.

Yes, it is a World Cup year, but the championship’s importance should not be diminished. Since 1987 the Six Nations winners have gone on to reach either the final or semi-final. The only exception being Scotland in 1999.

Today’s starting XV looks like the correct selection – not that there were many alternatives. That considered, it seems strange Mike Ross was overlooked in November, with John Hayes, Tom Court and Tony Buckley preferred at tighthead. Ross was excellent against Munster and Racing Metro in October and his form has not dipped since. He should have played at least one game in November.

Ireland are going to beat Italy, but it is the French challenge that will go a long way to deciding the tournament outcome. The key meeting will be between the winners of this match against last night’s victors in Cardiff. That should be the defining match of the Six Nations.

Here’s hoping this is Ireland against England at Lansdowne Road on the last day of the campaign. Much like 2003. Except this time the English captain won’t be allowed steal the red carpet from an inexperienced, young Irish leader. O’Driscoll simply wouldn’t stand for that anymore.

If Ireland are going to make any impact in New Zealand next September it is paramount they get the process right over the next few weeks. Today represents the first building block in a long year.