David Skrela (right) was more than competent at out-half, albeit under little pressure, while Sebastien Chabal excelled. They also proved fearsome in the scrum, an area where Italy were expected to dominate. It's an area where they could dominate Ireland this afternoon.

Shane Horgan is a welcome return, but the loss of Brian O'Driscoll and as much, or even moreso, Peter Stringer will be keenly felt. Isaac Boss has no experience of the Six Nations, while the even-smaller-than-Stringer Pierre Mignoni was something of a revelation against Italy at scrum-half. France have had a habit in recent years of puncturing the hype around Ireland with some sharp shocks. At odds of 64, they're far too big to do likewise today.

BACK HALF-TIME DRAW FULLTIME ARSENAL vWIGAN 4-1 Odds quoted are from Betfair Sadly, the fanciful hope of a four-way title race isn't showing many signs of materialising.

Dropped points from both Arsenal and Liverpool last week means that Manchester United and Chelsea, with a returning John Terry, look nailed on for top-two spots. Arsenal host Wigan this afternoon, a team whose freefall has mirrored their own "ne form since Christmas. In recent games Wigan have been appalling on the eye, hoo"ng Hail Marys in the vague direction of Emile Heskey and hoping for the best. It's been harrowing viewing for the few who manage to make their way to the JJB every week but there was a chink of light last week as they ground out a 1-0 win over an in-form Portsmouth. It's highly unlikely that they can turn over their hosts today, who are unbeaten at the Emirates Stadium this season, but they can certainly make life dif"cult until the second half at least. Take 4-1 on level pegging at half-time followed by an Arsenal win. It took them until the 88th minute to win at the JJB not long ago, and they took their time getting the better of Watford recently.

Where the money was. . .

BEEF OR SALMON TO WIN THE HENNESSY GOLD CUP YESTERDAY 100-1 (Betfair) With The Listener cruising along in the distance, Beef or Salmon and Andrew McNamara looked like they'd have to settle for an outright second in yesterday's showpiece at Leopardstown. Yet one of the most incredible racing comebacks saw Michael Hourigan's course specialist come back to catch an almost static leader in the dying strides. When seemingly in a different parish, Beef or Salmon went out to 100-1 in running, while big guns had a nightmare after backing The Listener at the minimum odds of 1-100.