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24th February 2025
03:32pm GMT
Ireland face France on Saturday week (March 8) at the Aviva Stadium (kick-off, 2.15 pm).
With Ireland failing to get the bonus point against Wales and France thrashing Italy 73-24, the game is effectively a showdown for the Six Nations title.
For the 23 we would like to see against Les Bleus, we have made five changes to the starting XV from the Wales win and one massive tactical change on the bench.
It was a tough outing at scrum time for Andrew Porter and Tom Clarkson against the Welsh.
Finlay Bealham and Rónan Kelleher - injury permitting - should help in that department, while we may finally see Tadhg Furlong in a green jersey again if he is fit.
If Furlong is still sidelined, Tom O'Toole may come back into contention.
Jack Boyle did more than enough off the bench against Wales to justify his spot on the bench.
Joe McCarthy was explosive on his return to the side on Saturday, and he could do even more damage as part of Ireland's 'bomb squad' off the bench.
Captain Caelan Doris is still a doubt for the game and if he does miss the clash we would revert to a 5/3 bench split, with Jack Conan starting and Jamie Osborne on the bench.
Conan has been superb so far, both off the bench and starting, and there is a strong case to include him in the XV.
The Leinster man's has also been listed as a doubt, but the latest fitness updates for himself and Doris have been positive.
However, Peter O'Mahony will ensure the line out is still in tip-top order, and, normally, the higher the stakes, the better the Munster talisman performs.
Ryan Baird and Conan off the bench adds a huge amount of dynamism to the carry and lineout.
Jack Crowley is unfortunate not to have been handed a start in one of Ireland's three games and stake a claim for the No 10 jersey.
As such, Sam Prendergast makes sense from a continuity standpoint.
With Garry Ringrose likely to be suspended, the starting combo picks itself.
This also adds to the argument in favour of a 6/2 split, as Ireland will be without that impact/experience off the bench.
Hugo Keenan will come back into the starting line up for Osborne.
Jack Crowley provides cover at 15, with Keenan able to cover wing.
Replacements: Dan Sheehan/Gus McCarthy, Jack Boyle, Tadhg Furlong/Tom O'Toole, Joe McCarthy, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Jack Crowley.
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