Cian Tracey

He's a massive loss.

I still don't understand why Aldridge isn't in the

in the squad I think if he had been in the back row I think he gives you much more balance it sounds like it's going to be Francois Croix who has only played I think three games this season due to a knee injury Oscar Jagu who is a brilliant player and Anthony Jalanch who is an excellent player as well but they're all kind of back rows as opposed to out and out number eights there's got you know the Jally Bear Anton Dupont dynamic is that going to fire in all cylinders from the off that's

um possibly not ireland usually start campaigns quite well and have faded over the last couple of years so i think that's the the optimistic outlook for sure like if you're looking i'm already looking at the weather forecast um in france next week and it looks like it's going to be rainy as well because i think ireland need to avoid scrums as much as possible and obviously we'll get on and chat about borweenia tonio but

The France scrum, I think, is going to be licking their lips at the prospect of inflicting similar enough damage to what South Africa did last November.

And that, for me, is a big concern because I think it's Carl Dixon is the referee and if Ireland get on the wrong side of him early on, it could be a very, very long night.

Yeah, and just to come in on that, Will, I think in a way, Roman Entomac's game has kind of suffered over the last couple of years because he's become almost like passive and a facilitator to allow DuPont, of course, like a generational talent to do what he does.

But I don't think Entomac, and I know he had that really bad injury, but I don't think he's been the player that he was when he first broke onto the scene and

It's not as easy as just putting Xali Berinder, who's had a very foxy relationship with Galtier, let's not forget as well.

But it's not as easy just plugging him in because he, from what I gather, is very much an alpha as well.

He wants to be the one who's controlling things.

He wants to be the one who's...

running the show so I think that dynamic in terms of how they gel look come round four or five they might be absolutely humming but that's why I feel on the opening night it might be a good time to play them and like I said I could have egg on my face by making such a statement but I look at Jaddy Bear's try that he scored I don't know if you saw that Will for Bordeaux last week the guy is just playing sensational rugby

And if he clicks, yeah, it could be a tough night for Ireland.

But I'm taking the glass half full approach for now because there is a lot of negativity, I would agree with you, and pessimism around the trip to Paris next week.

he's made a rod for his own back.

And even though France are Six Nations champions, Galtier is not universally popular in France.

And I think if the selection decisions, and I would agree with you, I think it's more so Peno and Aldridge as opposed to Fiku.

But if it backfires, I think he will come under serious, serious pressure.

And you made an interesting point, Will.