While there was plenty of discussion this week about which player would don the No 12 jersey for Ireland in Cardiff, who started alongside them wasn't even up for debate.
Garry Ringrose heads into his seventh Six Nations campaign in the best form of his career, and vital to Ireland’s chances of lifting the title.
There was a time when the two spots in the Ireland midfield used to be a three-way battle between Ringrose, Robbie Henshaw and Bundee Aki. Not anymore. Ringrose’s consistent performances have seen him nail down the outside centre position, with his predecessor Brian O’Driscoll remarking that he is at the "peak of his powers".
He could yet follow in O’Driscoll’s footsteps and captain Ireland from outside centre once Johnny Sexton calls it a day.
Ringrose has stepped up as a leader for Leinster, thriving as skipper in Sexton’s absence. The softly-spoken 28-year-old lets his actions do the talking - he has scored six tries in 11 appearances for Leinster this season, double his tally of the previous campaign, while his work rate around the park is unrivalled.
He also interacts well with referees, picking his moments to query decisions while always striking the right tone.
An excellent defender, Ringrose is given licence to shoot out of the line and shut down attacks. It may sometimes lead to a missed tackle or two on the post-match stats sheet but they have a positive impact in terms of preventing teams from going wide.
Superb footwork from Garry Ringrose – and a great reach - moves Leinster back in front against the Sharks, but once again their lead is short-lived. #LEIvSHA #BKTURC
— RTÉ Rugby (@RTErugby) October 8, 2022
📺 Live on RTÉ
💻 https://t.co/CStwnXf2cB
📱 https://t.co/vTeSwye8Ra pic.twitter.com/VVXR58XJBL
He has also been scintillating in attack, playing a major role in a free-scoring Leinster side that have scored 88 tries during their 17-game winning run this season. Gone is the temptation to kick away turnover ball, Ringrose knowing both Leinster and Ireland possess the handling skills to carve teams open, both on the counter-attack and phase play.
Ringrose wins his 48th cap on Saturday in what will be his fourth Six Nations start at the Principality Stadium. He has finished on the losing side on the three previous occasions, with his only success at the venue coming in a Rugby World Cup warm-up match in 2019, where he came off the bench.
Stuart McCloskey is once again Ringrose’s midfield partner on Saturday. The pair combined for the majority of Ireland’s three autumn wins over South Africa, Fiji and Australia, but the partnership, much like Ireland’s attack in November, did not reach its full potential.
Space is likely to be in short supply early on against Wales, with Warren Gatland naming a physical pack that will try to dominate Ireland and slow down their rucks. However, should the visiting forwards get on top and provide Jamison Gibson-Park with fast ball, then McCloskey and Ringrose could make hay against a Welsh midfield of George North and the inexperienced Joe Hawkins.
Ringrose scored Ireland's bonus-point try against Wales in last year's Six Nations
Ringrose scored a brilliant try in last year’s opening-round win over Wales in Dublin, the ball passing through six pairs of hands off a turnover before the centre turned on the gas and stepped through a scrambling defence to touch down.
Should a similar opportunity present itself in Cardiff, you’d certainly back him to take it. Ringrose has become the centre of attention for both club and country, and a first Six Nations win in Cardiff would mark the perfect start in what is a big year for both him and Irish rugby.
Listen to the RTÉ Rugby podcast on Apple Podcasts, Soundcloud, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
Follow our live blog of Wales v Ireland (Saturday 2.15pm) on RTÉ.ie/Sport and the RTÉ News app, or listen to live commentary on RTÉ Radio 1.
Watch live coverage of England v Scotland (Saturday 4.45pm) on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.
