Simon Easterby's winning running continues, in his interim head coach, with an Ireland team on course for a Six Nations three-in-a-row.
Ireland went 10-0 ahead, on Saturday, against a Wales team looking to avoid a 15th straight Test loss. They then conceded the next 18 points and lost Garry Ringrose to a 20-minute red card, before closing out with four Sam Prendergast penalties and a Jamie Osborne try.
"I was pleased that we responded to being in a bit of a hole and we dug ourselves out," said Easterby, "and took the game away from them in the last 20."
Ireland players Bundee Aki, left, and Peter O'Mahony after the win over Wales, at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. (Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile)
Following the game, Easterby confirmed that forward Jack Conan came off with 'lower back stiffness'. He is not an injury concern, nor is Mack Hansen, who came off late in the game with cramp.
There was positive news on captain Caelan Doris, who took part in some of the game warm-ups, run even though he was not named in the match-day squad. Doris missed the game with a knee issue but was running about Cardiff and Easterby is 'confident' of having his captain back.
The unknown, ahead of the France game, is the same one that has clouded Ireland's championship campaign - Tadhg Furlong's fitness.
SEE ALSO: Kearney Pinpoints Exact Moment Sam Prendergast's 'Inexperience' Showed In Wales Win
Five changes in our Ireland team to face France
With France facing Ireland, next game out, in Dublin on March 8th, both sets of players get another weekend to rest up and recover.
It will be interesting to see what senior players Ireland are allowed to get URC minutes, next weekend. The U20s squad could be used for 15 vs. 15 training runs, but the likes of Hugo Keenan, Joe McCarthy and Furlong (if cleared to play) may feature in the home game against Cardiff.
The first change I would make to Ireland's team is one that will be a necessity, once Garry Ringrose learns how long he will be banned for. It is highly likely that the Leinster centre will be suspended for the rest of the championship after his high tackle on Ben Thomas.
Handily, Ireland can bring Bundee Aki into their backline. I would do that, with Hugo Keenan returning at fullback and Jamie Osborne covering multiple positions, off the bench.
The other three starting XV changes are in the pack, with Doris back in for Conan. I would start James Ryan, too, and have Joe McCarthy in reserve. Ireland will need to match grunt with grunt as France may well go for a 6-2 bench split.
The final change sees Finlay Bealham at tighthead, with Furlong on the bench if he is fit again. On the bench, hopefully Rónan Kelleher is good to return. For one last time in the Six Nations, I would have Cian Healy on the bench.
OUR IRELAND TEAM TO FACE FRANCE
15. Hugo Keenan
14. Mack Hansen
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Bundee Aki
11. James Lowe
10. Sam Prendergast
9. Jamison Gibson-Park1. Andrew Porter
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Finlay Bealham
4. James Ryan
5. Tadhg Beirne
6. Peter O'Mahony
7. Josh van der Flier
8. Caelan Doris
REPLACEMENTS: Rónan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Tadhg Furlong, Joe McCarthy, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Jack Crowley, Jamie Osborne.
A note for the two unluckiest to miss out - Calvin Nash and Ryan Baird, who was an effective impact sub against Wales.
Simon Easterby will name his Ireland team to face France on Thursday, March 6th.
