Skipper praises O'Gara
Brian O'Driscoll believes Ronan O'Gara is the best fly-half in the Six Nations.
Ireland captain Brian O'Driscoll believes team-mate Ronan O'Gara has continued to improve over the past year - with now only New Zealand's Dan Carter better at number 10.O'Gara has been visibly lifted to a new level after helping Munster to their Heineken Cup success at the Millennium Stadium last year.
His fly-half performances in Ireland's wins over South Africa and Australia in November are widely regarded as the best of his international career.
O'Driscoll believes the confidence from Munster's success has lifted O'Gara to become the best fly-half in the Six Nations, and only second in the world behind the majestic All Black number 10 Carter.
"Ronan has been a huge player for Ireland and Munster for a number of years but he's really improved in the last 12 months," said O'Driscoll.
"He was a fantastic player but now he's a truly world-class player.
"He's sheer class and is probably the second-best number 10 in the world, the way he can control games and run back-lines, and keep his forwards on the front foot.
"There are very few players who have such a cool head under pressure when push comes to shove."
O'Gara returns to Cardiff with Ireland at the weekend in their Six Nations opener against Wales, where their Grand Slam hopes were dashed two years ago.
Eddie O'Sullivan's men are again expected to do well this year after their autumn displays, and O'Driscoll believes they now have the mental strength to cope with the expectations.
"I would like to think we are a big enough and mentally strong enough team to deal with being favourites," he said.
"Hopefully we will learn from two years ago when we were named favourites and didn't achieve what we set out to do."
