Johnny Sexton v Johnny Sexton
It was the talking point after the win over Scotland. The World Rugby Player of the Year is the World Rugby Player of the Year because he plays the way he does. Unfortunately for Sexton it meant that he spent just 24 minutes tormenting the Scots and 56 minutes looking on after failing a HIA.
Joe Schmidt half joked afterwards that the out-half must have figured he was only going to play 20 minutes so he crammed a lot in, which included setting up Jacob Stockdale's try.
But for all the talk of playing on the edge, there is more danger of Sexton watching on the edge if something doesn't change.
One take on the Darwinism about the survival of the fittest is that it's more about the survival of the most adaptable.
The 33-year-old stepping back a yard or two and staying on the field for 70 minutes is key to Ireland's World Cup hopes.
Braam Steyn v Jordi Murphy
The Treviso back rower moves to number 8 from flanker in the absence of Sergio Parisse, who misses out with concussion, while Murphy comes in for Jack Conan, who replaced an injured CJ Stander last time out.
The Ulster forward has a great chance to stake a claim for a starting spot. Stander looked an immovable object for a long time since making his debut in 2016 but hasn't been playing to his potential for the last few months.
Steyn was name-checked by Schmidt on Friday as "probably their form back-rower, as good as Sergio is."
He brings a 6' 4" 17 stone frame into the reckoning and was on the scoresheet against Wales, along with racking up 20 tackles.
In terms of back row support Jimmy Tuivaiti will win his third cap and Maxime Mbanda his 16th, while Murphy, who has "been training very well", will pack down alongside Sean O'Brien and captain Peter O'Mahony.
Front Row v Front Row
Schmidt has made two changes to the front three with Dave Kilcoyne and Sean Cronin setting up beside Tadhg Furlong. Rory Best is rested, while Cian Healy is in Italy but not in the match-day 23.
Cronin, preferred as an impact sub by the boss, will win his 68th cap and will come up against Leonardi Ghiraldini, who captains the team.
"They are up against a centurion," said Schmidt of the Toulouse hooker who has 101 caps and boasts the highest tackle count after two rounds. "The hard man of the front row. That's a super challenge."
Dave Kilcoyne has played his way into a start with his Munster form and his showing off the bench for the last two games.
"It's to reward the effort we've seen in training and games so far," Schmidt said about the changes in the pack. "That's reflective of Dave Kilcoyne, Sean Cronin and [lock] Ultan Dillane selections."
"I'm sure that [loosehead Andrea] Lovotti, the way that he scrummages is going to make it a challenge and [tighthead] Simone Ferrari as well. That front row is a challenge within the wider challenge of the match itself."
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