In last Monday's Irish Times, Gerry Thornley mused on the muted atmosphere as Ireland comprehensively beat South Africa. It was as if beating a southern hemisphere side was already too quotidien an occurrence to get excited about. Today, Ireland face Australia, a side who have beaten them on the last four occassions they've played, and start the game as five-point favourites. Heady days indeed. Yet the game is a 50:50 call at best, making Australia worth a punt at 6-4. The visitors did find it dif"cult against Italy last week but they were stymied by a determined Italian pack.

Ireland's pack were effective last week, but are up against opponents with a point to prove today. There's no doubting the talents of Ireland's back line, but without decent ball they can't do much. It'll be interesting to see how Ronan O'Gara combines with Isaac Boss, while the excellent Stephen Larkham (right) has regained his favoured position at 10; advantage Australia. Ladbrokes are offering odds of 4-1 on O'Gara being Ireland's only scorer, but if the weather holds, this could be a classic of running rugby.

While not at their best, expect Australia to have the guile to steal it.

BACK SHANE WARNE TO BE TOP AUSTRALIAN BOWLER IN THE ASHES SERIES
5-4 Odds quoted are from Betfair

The Ashes commences on Wednesday night down under, with bookies rubbing their hands in anticipation of millions being drunkenly punted in-running late at night. So instead of having Betfair humming in the corner as the eyelids start drooping, it might pay to have a couple of ante-post wagers and leave it at that.

Standout among them is Shane Warne to be top Aussie bowler of the series at 5-4. This is a man who took 40 wickets in the last Ashes series and will be relishing a crack at an inexperienced English batting order in front of a rabidly partisan home crowd. Most likely to stand up to him will be Kevin Pietersen who, at worthy 5-2 favourite, is a solid bet to hold his nerve and end up top England batsman. For those of you fond of a patriotic punt, Dublin man Ed Joyce can be backed at 33-1 to be top series runscorer and 12-1 top England runscorer. More seriously though, 14-1 about him knocking a century might not be as crazy as it sounds, considering his only shot may come in dead rubbers at the end of the series.

Where the money wasn't. . .

GERMANY TO BEAT CYPRUS ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT
1-25 (Betfair)

After a goal from Michael Ballack (right), punters rushed to throw huge wads of cash on those dependable Germans finishing the job against Cyprus, who had only managed to beat lowly Ireland 5-2 in a recent fixture.

But Yiannakis Okkas found the net before half-time, drawing many expletives from those who had invested huge amounts on what seemed a sure thing for a 4 per cent return. Which we think is funny. Pretty sure the Germans have a word for that.