Just cause I'm bored, here's a quick head to head comparison:
Porter = Thomas - similar players, good all rounders. Porter's been great since his conversion to loosehead, but Thomas was a success story of the Pivac reign.
Sheehan > Owens - Owens won't be a weakness, but I really rate Sheehan.
Bealham = Francis - Francis is solid enough, but doesn't offer a huge amount around the field. I don't know a huge amount about Bealham, but every side would miss Furlong.
Beirne > Beard - not a big fan of Beard, whilst I consider Beirne one of the best players in the world.
Ryan > Jones - AWJ still has something to offer, but I'd have a few players ahead of him now. Ryan is class.
O'Mahoney < Morgan - Experience v exhuberence, Morgan has been on fire recently, and has been in great form for the last couple of years really, so it's not just a recent run of form.
VdF > Tipuric - I think this is very close, but then I've always loved Tips, so accept my bias there. VdF is world player of the year for a reason.
Doris < Faletau - a fit Faletau is up there with any other 8 in world rugby. Doris whilst excellent has a little way to go to match the all round excellence of Taulupe.
Gibson-Park = Williams - Williams still has a lot more to give, but struggles with consistency. Gibson-Park is an odd one, I think there are lots of better 9's out there, including a few Welsh players, but Gibson-Park suits this Ireland side perfectly.
Sexton > Biggar - Sexton may be old, but he's still one of the best 10's in the world (if not the best)... when fit! Biggar is Biggar, can never fault his effort, but I've questioned him attacking ability for close to a decade now.
Lowe > Dyer - Dyer's pace could cause the Irish back 3 issues, but Lowe's power will do likewise. Lowe's kicking game is also very underrated.
McCoskey > Hawkins - Hawkins has a huge future, I have little doubt about that, but he'll have his work cut out vs the powerful McCloskey. Could be an important battle this.
Ringrose > North - North was surprisingly excellent defending the 13 channel in the AI's, but didn't get his attack going much. Ringrose is a very classy player, an all-rounder who rarely puts a foot wrong whilst offering a lot in attack.
Hansen < Adams - Adams remains one of the best finishers in the NH. Hansen's made a mark at international level, but lacks the experience of Adams at this stage.
Keenan > Williams - not many better fullbacks out there than Keenan. When fit the same could be said of Williams, but he's barely played in ages, it's a gamble starting him imo.
Herring > Baldwin - gutted Lake isn't offering impact. Baldwin is a fine player, but Herring is a step or two up.
Healy < Carre - Carre is in great form, his carrrying game could cause Ireland real issues late on. What a aervant Healy's been, but he's not the player he once was.
O'Toole = Lewis - Lewis would take this usually, his improvement in the scrum was a real plys last year, but injuries have seen him miss the last few months. Big ask this.
Henderson > Jenkins - gotta favour the experienced Henderson here. Jenkins is one of the brightest prospects in world rugby, but boy is this a tough assignmemt for him!
Conan = Reffell - difficult to compare the two, as they're very different players and bring different strengths, call it even with Conan the better ball carrier and Reffell a quality operator at the breakdown.
Murray > Webb - battle of the 'experienced' scrum halves. Both not where they used to be, but both have their strengths.
Byrne = Williams - tempted to give this to Williams, as I think he's the better player, an experienced operator even if not at international level. Versatile too with his ability to slot in at 12. Byrne is good, but I'm yet to be fully convinced.
Aki > Cuthbert - think Aki offers more impact, although his inclusion could cause issues if Ireland lose a back 3 player early. Cuthbert has never let Wales down, but I still think Kieran Williams would have been a better option on the bench.
That's a lot of wins for Ireland there it has to be said, so the sensible money is definitely on Ireland here. It's been 10 years since Ireland won a 6n match in Cardiff though...
