By Tadhg Peavoy
Joe Schmidt will name the team to face Italy in Ireland's Six Nations opener at noon today (live on RTÉ Player).
Ireland go into the tie as defending champions looking to win back-to-back tournaments for the first time since 1983.
They also go into the game looking to avenge their defeat to Italy in Rome the last time the sides met in the Eternal City in 2013.
Declan Kidney’s Ireland lost 22-15, the first defeat Ireland suffered to the Azzurri in the Six Nations.
At full-back, with Rob Kearney fit, it seems certain that Schmidt will go with the tried and trusted Leinster man at 15.
On the wings, Simon Zebo and Tommy Bowe are favoured to fill the 11 and 14 jerseys, however, Dave Kearney is also included in the extended squad and will push Zebo close for selection on the left flank.
Munster’s Felix Jones is the strongest candidate to be named as the cover for the back three on the bench.
In the centre the options seem less clear cut with Gordon D’Arcy, Luke Fitzgerald, Robbie Henshaw, Jared Payne and Darren Cave all in the running.
All combinations were paired in training this week, but given Henshaw and Payne’s outstanding displays at 12 and 13 respectively against South Africa last November, that pairing are in the box seat.
At No 10, with Johnny Sexton and Paddy Jackson both unavailable for selection, it’s a decision between Leinster utility back Ian Madigan and Munster outhalf Ian Keatley.
Madigan started at 10 for the Wolfhounds against the England Saxons, but had a mixed display. He has also not featured regularly at 10 for Leinster this season, but has been used there as well as at first centre and full-back.
Given these factors, Schmidt may opt for Keatley to provide stability in a game that will see Italy furiously rush the out-half channel. If Keatley does start, Madigan will cover outhalf and centre from the bench.
At scrum-half, a fit Conor Murray is a certain starter, while Eoin Reddan is likely to be be named as back-up, despite the superb recent form of Connacht’s Kieran Marmion.
Jamie Heaslip, if fully fit, will be named at No 8. He has been carrying a shoulder niggle all week but indications are that he will be included.
Alongside Heaslip in the back row Munster captain Peter O’Mahony will in all likelihood be named at six, while seven is a more open position, with Sean O’Brien’s lack of match sharpness following injury likely to keep him out.
With Chris Henry and Rhys Ruddock also ruled out, the options are reduced in this crucial position. Tommy O’Donnell, Jordi Murphy and Dominic Ryan are in a three-way fight for the openside jersey.
One of that trio will also take a spot on the bench, with the final player missing out on the matchday squad altogether.
In the engine room, Paul O’Connell and Devin Toner look set to maintain their partnership despite the return to the squad of Iain Henderson who, like O’Brien, is still looking to regain full match sharpness after a long injury lay-off. Henderson should, however, edge Mike McCarthy for the replacement lock role.
And finally, in the front row, Rory Best will play at hooker, with Sean Cronin used from the bench as a high-impact replacement, with his ball-carrying skills paramount to Ireland as the game loosens up late on.
At loosehead Cian Healy is still rehabbing his hamstring injury and will not play, leaving Jack McGrath as the likely man to start. On the bench, with Dave Kilcoyne also missing, James Cronin will slip in as cover.
On the other side, Marty Moore is tipped to get the nod at tighthead ahead of the hugely experienced Mike Ross, with Nathan White seemingly third in the pecking order.
