Stephen Ferris spoke to Balls.ie on our daily sports podcast The Racket ahead of the kick-off of the Six Nations this weekend.
You can listen to the entire interview below.
Irish Rugby has a rarified air about it at the moment. Despite the fact that the international team are going for a third Six Nations title in a row - something not achieved by any side in the history of either the Five or Six Nations - there has arguably never been a more phlegmatic Irish build-up to the start of the Six Nations.
Gloom pervades the mindset of the Irish rugby fan; a pessimism with many factors including the World Cup disappointment, the departure of a totemic figure and injuries to a number of others.
The bookies have responded to all of the above by making Ireland third favourites for the tournament at 4/1.
This is not an outlook shared by Stephen Ferris, however:
There's no doom and gloom in the back of my mind. I don't know why Ireland are at the odds that they're at, they've won the tournament the last two years.
Everyone questioned them last year with Brian O'Driscoll not playing. Now everyone is questioning them with Paul O'Connell not playing, but Joe Schmidt always seems to do a job and get a team out on the pitch.
Those are good odds for Ireland. It's between England and Wales? I don't think so.
I know Ireland have to go away to England and to France, but if we can get off to go a good starton Sunday, it will get that momentum going.
If I was putting a bet down I'd put it on Ireland, as Joe Schmidt can definitely get this team functioning, he has shown that in each of the last two years.
Along with his optimism and belief in the coach, Ferris did question a couple of Schmidt's selection calls:
I think CJ Stander was always going to be on my team sheet, but I would have Stuart McCloskey in there, possibly for impact off the bench, with the likes of Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies running at you all day. Jared Payne hasn't had much game time and neither has Robbie Henshaw.
The real surprise for me is Paddy Jackson. The fella has been on fire for Ulster, playing really really well. I suppose Ian Madigan can cover positions across the back line but if Johnny Sexton goes down early with another bang to the head, another concussion, who would you want to bring on? The guy I'd bring on would be Paddy Jackson, he's been outstanding this season at out-half.
So a few big calls, but that's what Joe Schmidt does: he makes the big calls and it has worked for him over the last two years and I hope it works again on Sunday.
Ferris also heaped praise on new captain Rory Best, whom he says was th ebest performing Irish player in the World Cup, and spoke about the rivalry between Wales and Ireland, believing that much of it was down to the "mind games" played by Warren Gatland.
Listen to the full interview on the podcast.
