I just see it as a great opportunity that was presented to me, and I will do the best I can to justify it.”It is not going to be easy. Now, six seasons later, when the World Championship starts in Melbourne next Sunday, Zanardi will be driving the car that took Hill to the top of the world. Hill won the World Championship in 1996, while Zanardi made the most of his exile to America to dominate in a manner reminiscent of Nigel Mansell And, as Mansell did, Zanardi is coming back to Formula One. But where Mansell saw it as unfinished business, after an acrimonious divorce from Williams at the very apogee of his success, Zanardi views his situation differently.
“I still feel I’m a very lucky person. I had my career in America, and now I hope I am able to keep it up at the same level in Formula One. Obviously, I’m here because it was my decision, because I strongly believe that I am capable of doing the job I have been asked to do by Frank Williams But I don’t see it as revenge, or unfinished business.

At the start of his Formula One career, back in 1993, he collided in his first race, in South Africa, with the Williams driven by another rookie, one Damon Hill. It shows through in the no-nonsense, instant-decision manoeuvres he pulled time and again when overtaking rivals in America’s Champ Car series these past three seasons, and in the clear-headed judgement that made him the apple of engineer Mo Nunn’s sometimes jaundiced eye But even he acknowledges one of life’s little ironies. FOR ALL the charm that he brings to racing, Alex Zanardi is fundamentally a pragmatist. By the World Cup we might have a pretty good side.”So what price England? “It’s nice to get them at home,” the Green Kiwi said.. The squad are comfortable with each other and you can’t coach experience. After the Wales game some of the senior players told me that they’re enjoying their rugby more than ever and one of the reasons is that it’s the happiest Ireland team they’ve been involved in.

Gatland, more pragmatist than gambler, is a year into the job and the five areas he has been concentrating on are scrum, line-out, ruck, maul and defence. “We are now reasonably competent,” he said, “and we should be ready to take the game another step forward. They don’t lose their line-out; in Paddy Johns they have a player in similar mould to Martin Johnson and their second lieutenant, Keith Wood, is dynamic on his day.”Ireland are showing signs of long-term growth. “Ireland usually have a good pack and this one looks extremely strong. “Last season they blew us away in the first 25 minutes at Twickenham. It will be a test to see how much we have improved in 12 months. I am sure England will try to take us on up front.”And there, according to Guscott, is where the Irish strength lies “It’s going to be hard,” the centre said.