Ireland look ahead to their Six Nations clash against France next week with memories of a tough day last year, where they were brutalised at times in the Stade de France by bullish French forwards.
With Iain Henderson back fit and back in form, it raises questions of how to get him into the starting line up, which would add some needed size to Ireland's pack.
After Ireland's defeat of Wales yesterday, the Virgin Media panel discussed the possibility of dropping Peter O'Mahony for the Ulster second row.
"Peter O'Mahony was very quiet today wasn't he," said Matt Williams.
He's played very well for Ireland over 2022. He was very quiet today. Henderson's there, the question has to be asked just for next week, does he come back to the bench? Do you put Henderson in the second row and move Tadhg Beirne to six?
I don't know if that will happen but I think it's a legitimate question to ask for a bigger French pack, will that be something they look at. Because I think eventually Beirne is going to be an international six.
"The other option there is you put Conan at eight and move Doris back to six," added Rob Kearney.
Should Iain Henderson Come In For Peter O'Mahony ?
▪️ Murray to keep his place?
▪️ Hansen to start again?
▪️ Henderson for O'Mahony?
Matt Williams, Shane Horgan and Rob Kearney discuss Andy Farrell's selection questions for France next week.#WALvIRE | #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/2QkMhN5qMi— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 4, 2023
READ HERE: Liam Williams Slagged Off For Football-Like Play Acting After Iain Henderson Hit
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell was clearly pleased with how his side navigated the challenge at the Millennium Stadium, recognising the danger posed when heading to the home of Welsh rugby.
"This is a really tough place to start the campaign. But the good thing about it, in my opinion, there's a lot of things we could have used as an excuse over the last 12 days, but I said to you in Portugal that our preparation had been top drawer. It really has.
"We got what we deserved at the end of the day. It's a tough place to come and our history says exactly that.
"The way that we galvanised together as a group is testament to how we go about our work in preparation for this Test match."
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