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4th March 2019
03:57pm GMT
(Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile)[/caption]
"We need a massive points differential but we may also need the bonus points," Trimble says. "They are going okay but there are one or two points of the pattern that are not clicking... I'd say they will keep playing Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton at 9 and 10." Murphy notes:
"I wonder will they bring CJ Stander straight back in. Him being back already is obviously unbelievable after an eye socket or cheek fracture [against England]. I think Ireland will go with him if he is fit. "Let CJ lump through work, as he does, and France will struggle with to deal with him and then Seanie O'Brien off the bench... could go with Josh van der Flier from the start. "I'd be going with a team that is as close to that starting 15 against England, with maybe Garry Ringrose back in midfield... probably not Robbie Henshaw at 15 given how well Rob Kearney has done these last few weeks." Murphy adds, "Would you get Tadhg Beirne in there? I'd love to see someone robbing more ball; we've been poor off the ground... it's a hugely important part of the game. Slowing teams down, winning penalties and i think with the lack of fitness France have... "Beirne's ball-carrying is excellent and that is the one thing we are missing at the moment - a guy that will get in there and slow the ball down. He is arguably the best in the northern hemisphere at doing it. Stick him in your team."Trimble would definitely bring in Iain Henderson to the Irish second row but is siding with James Ryan from the start, and concedes that Connacht's Quinn Roux and Ultan Dillane would both, quite fairly, consider themselves unlucky to miss out after decent outings for Ireland recently. The Ireland squad is named on Tuesday afternoon with the matchday 23 announced on Friday. WATCH THAT HOUSE OF RUGBY EPISODE HERE: https://youtu.be/lr8d9GL-JBM
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