Keith Wood and Gerry Thornley were both on Off the Ball's Wednesday Night Rugbyand the two picked their starting XVs for Ireland's opening Six Nations fixture against Italy in Rome.
They pretty much agreed on the forwards, given that all are fit. Thornley did say he thought is was a toss up between Jordi Murphy and Tommy O'Donnell for openside but believed that Joe Schmidt would go with the Leinster player.
Wood went with Luke Fitzgerald at outside centre, while Thornley chose Jared Payne.
This is the former Irish captain's preferred lineup.
1. Jack McGrath
2. Rory Best
3. Mike Ross
4. Devin Toner
5. Paul O'Connell
6. Peter O'Mahony
7. Jordi Murphy
8. Jamie Heaslip
9. Conor Murray
10. Ian Madigan
11. Simon Zebo
12. Robbie Henshaw
13. Luke Fitzgerald
14. Tommy Bowe
15. Rob Kearney
Thornley believed that the bench would feature Cian Healy, Iain Henderson and probably Fergus McFadden.
Picture credit: Brian Lawless / SPORTSFILE
