With the Autumn internationals done and dusted with Ireland taking three wins from three in a clean sweep, it's clear that Joe Schmidt gave himself a lot to think about ahead of 2018, and what looks set to be fiercely competitive Six Nations on the horizon.
We had young players making the breakthrough such as James Ryan and Adam Byrne, a youngster demanding a starting place in Jacob Stockdale, and even more experienced players like Cian Healy and Rob Kearney reminding everyone that they still have a lot to offer in international rugby.
Add to that the fact that starting-calibre players such as Garry Ringrose and hopefully Keith Earls will be returning from injury, and it makes the idea of picking a team look quite complicated.
For the backs, at least. We seem to have our pack set in stone, as apart from Jack McGrath who has a point to prove after Healy's performances, Best, Furlong, Toner, Henderson, O'Mahony, O'Brien, and Stander will start if fit.
Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton are also nailed on, but that leaves five spots up for grabs.
On Monday night's episode of 'Against The Head', a panel consisting of Eddie O'Sullivan, Donal Lenihan, and Bernard Jackman discussed the possible starters and all seemed to agree that Jacob Stockdale had done enough to cement his place.
6 Nations looming and Eddie O'Sullivan and Donal Lenihan ponder team selection - Jacob Stockdale is in there #againstthead @RTEsport pic.twitter.com/BZrLc8XhlG
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) November 27, 2017
In summary:
Stockdale is a starter, Rob Kearney has done enough to retain the #15 shirt, and Earls comes back in if he's ready to go. The two centre positions are up for grabs, but the Henshaw/Ringrose combo is in pole position due to playing together at club level.
Should Earls not be ready for February, then it does appear as though Andrew Conway is the next in line having played so well against South Africa. For all the worrying done after Simon Zebo's exclusion was confirmed, we do appear to be well stocked (no pun intended) at the position.
Who do you want to see starting in our first Six Nations game? Get in touch and let us know.
