Ireland's bid for an unprecedented third Six Nations title continues this Saturday with a trip to the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.
While Simon Easterby's men are now in poll position to claim both the title and a Grand Slam, clashes with Wales, France and Italy still lie in wait.
First up is a trip to the Principality Stadium in Cardiff for their round three clash with Wales, where in the face of a side who have lost fourteen games on the bounce and are now without a permanent head-coach, Ireland will rightly be favourites.
Yet despite Ireland rightly holding the favourite status, last week's appointment of Matt Sherratt as Wales interim head coach and the players he's introduced to camp, leaves just a tinge of uncertainty about if, or how much this Wales side will have developed when they line out under the closed roof of the Principality come Saturday.
31 January 2025; Ireland players, from left, Caelan Doris, Jack Conan and Tadhg Beirne before an Ireland rugby captain's run at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
READ ALSO: Simon Easterby Calls In Reinforcements Ahead Of Wales Match
READ ALSO: Report: Ireland Dealt Big Injury Blow As Remarkable Run Set To End
Dan Biggar says replacement of Doris highlights difference between Ireland and Wales
While Sherratt made the choice to bolster his Welsh camp as a statement of intent, Simon Easterby was forced to make changes to his squad when he was hit with the crushing loss of captain Caelan Doris and a number of other players including Ronan Kelleher.
Fortunately for Ireland, coming in behind Doris in all likelihood will be 2021 British and Irish Lions number eight Jack Conan - who has made red-jersey-deserving appearances off the bench in both of Ireland's opening tests.
Speaking on The Rugby Pod, legendary Welsh out-half Dan Biggar felt that the ease with which Ireland can replace such a pivotal player with another top-class player epitomised the difference in quality between the two sides.
You lose your captain and probably one of your best players over the last 18 months, two years and you just bring in the Lions test #8 to come in and play in his place. That's the difference where the two teams are at.
I do think Wales will be better, I think they'll have a bit more intent about them, but clearly you'd have to say that Ireland are going to be heavy heavy favourites.
As Biggar alludes to, few teams across the tournament, and in fact the world have the depth that Ireland boasts and the ability to replace one of their most pivotal players, with a test-hardened Lion like Jack Conan.
For Easterby, Conan and Ireland this Saturday will be all about showcasing what they can do in the absence of one of their best players and keeping their Six Nations title bid on track.
Even if a much improved Wales side emerges from the tunnel sniffing blood this weekend, anything short of a win would come as a crushing blow to this Ireland side.
SEE ALSO: Johnny Wilkinson Identifies Crucial Andy Farrell Trait That Has Made Ireland So Formidable
