Donal Lenihan's Six Nations opening weekend verdicts

I think it's the most exciting championship we’ve had in a long long time. We’re also really thrilled that we have crowds at a Six Nations game for the first time in two years.

The form of all the sides in the Autumn, bar maybe Wales and Italy, was brilliant.

When you look at form coming into this game against Wales, Ireland are in a brilliant position.

Eight games in a row unbeaten. A very good November and that fantastic win over New Zealand.

They've got familiarity in the team, with 11 Leinster men starting.

There is excitement I think in the promotion of Mack Hansen, who only arrived in Ireland 10 months ago but has been outstanding for Connacht.

On the flip-side, Wales are bedevilled with injury so the odds are certainly stacked against them.

Wales have always surmounted that in the past, they won a championship against all the odds last year, but I just think Ireland will have too much."

They’ll just have to embrace that favourites tag and go out and perform, which I think they will.

Scotland and England in Murrayfield is a very tight game.

England are traditionally favourites but Scotland are in a very good place at the moment. The weather forecast isn’t great so that could make it a bit of a dogfight.

If Scotland are going to do anything in this championship, they have to win tomorrow and I wouldn’t be surprised if they managed it.

For France, marginally my favourites to win the championship, opening with a home game against Italy is probably the best way to start so I would expect them to win.

Lenihan also paid tribute to the late Tom Kiernan, his fellow Corkman and a 54-cap international, whodied this week aged 83.

"Tommy was an iconic figure in Irish rugby, with an unprecedented contribution as a player, captain, coach and