*and performing at the same or comparable level. Is a 36 year old/almost 37 Etzebeth still 95% of what he was in 2019-2025?

I think the only threat to the Bok throne atm is age. If they maintain this level in 2027 it’ll be hard to see anyone get back up to them. Maybe France.

I’ll see myself out

None of said outhalves took either of the first two kicks either

Positives for me personally: Forde, Illo, Gunne, Dan Kelly, Wilson, Baloucoune

Disappointed to not see Hugh Gavin, Hugh Cooney, Andrew Osborne, DTM, James McNabney, Deegan, Ben O'Connor.

Its a very interesting squad no doubt, and very excited for most of the players there, I just dont get the thinking. It's inconsistent.

But is it time to talk about how big an impact, in a one point game, that an overturned red card and no in game punishment for a subsequent ban might have had on the result?

(Still hoping to see Cathal Forde with the A team)

Back three will have Osborne, Lowe, and Hansen. Jimmy O'Brien likely gets in to replace Keenan with injury. Then Tommy O'Brien and maybe one or two of Nash, Stockdale, Bolton, & Baloucoune? Would still love to see Andrew Smith there eventually.

Centres are fascinating. Aki & Ringrose are certainties. Osborne also provides cover. Is Henshaw still guaranteed a spot/ will he be phased out? McCloskey might/should be ahead of him. The investment in Hugh Gavin will be continued. Dan Kelly and Postlewaithe are live options to leapfrog RH. Hume?

Outhalf will be Prendergast and Crowley. Maybe Frawley, but its interesting that hes only been played at 12 for Leinster so far this year. Maybe gives Harry Byrne an outside chance. Jack Murphy would be a distant 5th I guess.

Scrumhalf is also interesting - who joins Casey and Gibson Park. How close is Casey to JGP? Pick one of Caolin Blade, Nathan Doak, and Ben Murphy. Outside shot for Fintan Gunne to be fasttracked / he could be considered for an apprentice spot.

Blindside is by far the most interesting spot with no O'Mahony. Baird probably gets first crack, but I think all of Prendergast, Coombes, Deegan, Soroka, McNabney, Gleeson are good enough and any of them could be included - especially with the A game scheduled.

At lock I'm expecting Joe McCarthy (injury permitting), Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan, and Cormac Izuchukwu to be named. Probably with Thomas Ahern ahead of Iain Henderson.

Openside will be Josh van der Flier and possibly no one else. No. 8 will be Conan and Doris (injury permitting).

Tighthead is similar to hooker. The O'Toole situation is interesting, but it looks like Aungier will be 5th man up for the A game behind the established Furlong, Bealham, and Clarkson. Jager, Illo, and Wilson arent too far behind. Not sure Ireland's 6th best tighthead has been this good before.

Hooker is less interesting. Do they bring 4 and have both Herring and Gus McCarthy? Does the A game mean that more than the top 4 hookers are picked/used over the window; or will Tom Stewart and someone else get a look in? Who would be 6th? Heffernan? Barron? Other Barron? DTM?

Loosehead will be about who joins Porter / replaces Healy. I'd be stunned if Jack Boyle isnt named given the investment in him. Then its whether Farrell see O'Toole as a tighthead or loosehead and picks him, or if Milne's early showings have pushed him closer. Paddy McCarthy seems to be liked too.

With it being so early, its hard to say players have "played" their way into form especially with 2 games postponed. Most of the squad intrigue for me will be about who fills in the spots opened by retirement/injury...