Ireland will aim to continue their Six Nations dominance this weekend against France when they try extend their unbeaten run and move one step closer to a never-before-achieved third successive Six Nations title.
With the 2025 Lions Tour just around the corner, Irish players and fans alike will be hoping that the dominance is reflected in Andy Farrell's Lions selection for this summer's trip Down Under.
There are few positions however where places will be more competitive than the Irish centre-line, with Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki and Robbie Henshaw all impressing for Ireland in recent weeks and months.
That strength was no more evident than when Garry Ringrose was handed a red card for a high tackle on Ben Thomas during Ireland's defeat of Wales, only for Bundee Aki to replace him and deliver a game-changing performance.
While the trio's presence comes as a great advantage to Ireland, such is the competition between them, that at least one, if not two of the trio look likely to miss out on Lions selection.
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Stephen Jones makes surprise Irish inclusion in likely Lions squad
That was exactly what occurred when Stephen Jones selected his likely Lions squad in the Sunday Times.
Despite only finding room for one of Ireland's go-to trio, Jones made the surprise inclusion of Jamie Osborne as a centre in his side, choosing him over both Robbie Henshaw and Bundee Aki.
The bold call is made even more surprising by the fact that both Henshaw and Aki have enjoyed thriving starts to the Six Nations, while Osborne has appeared in just one of three matchday squads - starting against Wales not in the centre but in fullback.
22 February 2025; Jamie Osborne of Ireland celebrates after scoring his side's second try during the Guinness Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Wales and Ireland at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile
While Stephen Jones and Irish rugby fans rarely find themselves on the same page, the UK journalist did have high hopes for plenty of the Irish contingent who'll be hoping to book a spot on the plane to France.
Irish hooker and former Lion Ronan Kelleher was one of those, with Jones speculating that while he'd some distance to travel, the typically second-choice Ireland number two could be one of the 'test match animals' who unearth legendary performances while on Lions duty.
Tadhg Furlong was also credited for his past outings in red, and similarly picked to be the tour's stand out players should he recover from injury, with Jones claiming the Lions will 'pray for his fitness'.
Despite the surprise Irish praise and inclusions, Jones could find no room for some of the country's best players in his ten-strong Irish selection, including; Dan Sheehan and Andrew Porter who would both be shock omissions if they weren't included in the Irish squad.
The Irish players in his Likely Lions squad were:
Hugo Keenan (Fullback)
James Lowe (Wing)
Garry Ringrose (Centre)
Jamie Osborne (Centre)
Jack Crowley (Outhalf)
Jamison Gibson-Park (Scrumhalf)
Tadhg Furlong (Prop)
Joe McCarthy (Lock)
Tadhg Beirne (Flanker)
Caelan Doris (Number Eight)
