Ultimately though winning a 6 nations ***le would be nice this has to be a stepping stone to 2023.
A lot of big names are missing but we're still competitive and optimistic of winning in Paris. That's a good place to be in.
Front row are not setting the world alight but are solid enough performers.
Herring is solid for Ulster but is yet to show he's 100% worthy of Rory Bests shirt in either camp. Not sure where Kelleher is and am surprised he's not playing.
Beirne and Ryan in the second row are solid. Henderson would probably push Beirne to the bench, but Beirne will tackle his heart out and get in at the breakdown. Ryan is still getting his mojo back but he's already world class, just needs to get back there.
Back row Connors and Doris both hard workers either side of the ball. Good to see 2 young guys putting their hands up too. Stander as always will be there doing the business. POM will probably not make it to 2023 and his discipline is something perhaps that let's him down. I often feel he came to rugby 10-15 years too late.
Half backs....IMO given how things were Murray should not have gone to Japan. He was comfortably number 4 or 5 on the form ladder in the season before and was a gamble that came back to haunt Joe. He NEEDS a good game this week or else I don't know if Farrell can keep him over others.
Sexton at 10 is still a world class player but there needs to be a clear succession plan. Byrne is an able replacement and has shown that in blue but he needs to be more than that now. ROG didn't pass the torch to Sexton, Sexton took it and beat him about the head with it. We need somebody to do that to Sexton now but there's no clear candidate.
Centres are 2 good players in a partnership that just has not worked thus far. They'll both match up ok to the French midfield but with Leinster Ringrose is the utility man for Henshaw and the same in Green for Aki. I think he and Aki are too similar in some respects.
Back 3...glad to see Keenan retained as he's a reliable finisher as is Conway. Stockdale will either get blitzed under the high ball or punish loose French kicking. Certainly will look to expose him.
What I like about the current squad is that guys in this team like Healy, Ryan Connors, Doris, Sexton, Henshaw and Keenan view trips to France as 4/5 point opportunities. Gone are the days where trips to France were slim in returns. These guys are used to winning. Having said that I feel the Ireland camp suffers a clash of cultures and expectations in some respects. That was evident in the last minute against Italy. There's anecdotal evidence of it from half time against the All Blacks in Japan too. The way forward to 2023 will be interesting especially if current trajectories in Irish rugby continue.