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28th February 2021
09:29am GMT

Johnny Sexton and Tadhg Beirne pictured at the 2019 World Cup in Japan. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)[/caption]
Against Italy, it paid off. Beirne's numbers were hardly staggering - seven carries for 31 metres gained, one line break (two defenders beaten) and five tackles landed - but there was a lineout steal and his constant menace at the breakdown. Ruck involvement after ruck involvement. He was steady, and he was busy.
Following the 48-10 Irish win over Italy, Ireland captain Johnny Sexton lauded Robbie Henshaw for as 'the best player on the pitch today'. Asked, immediately after those comments, about Beirne, he joked:
"Yeah. Pat, you always come back to the Munster players, as usual! "Tadhg was excellent as well. He's been outstanding for the last three weeks - his work at lineout and at breakdown. But he's improved massively, even since we were last together in November, and he's become a proper leader in that pack. I can't speak highly enough about him."Scotland will pose a much stiffer threat than Italy when they face Ireland, in two weeks' time. Farrell is still without the services of the banned O'Mahony but he could switch Stander to blindside to bring in Jack Conan [big impact off the bench, on Saturday] or give Rhys Ruddock the nod. There is also the wildcard option of giving Ryan Baird his first Test start in the No.6 jersey. However, it seems as if Ireland have come across their most balanced back row available - Beirne, Will Connors and Stander. With Henderson and Ryan looking more and more cohesive as the second row unit and the likes of Tadhg Furlong and Dave Kilcoyne back ft again, the Irish pack can be the driving force as this team tries to finish this championship as high as possible.
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