An out-half balancing act, card-counting, and Ireland's old guard - Three burning questions for Simon Easterby's Six Nations

It's only seven months, but Simon Easterby has big shoes to fill.

With Andy Farrell away with the British and Irish Lions until the end of the summer, Ireland's long-term assistant Easterby has earned his promotion to the top job, albeit for a temporary spell.

With Ireland looking to win a third Six Nations title in a row, expectation is high, and with England first up at Aviva Stadium next Saturday, there is no time to ease into the role.

Prendergast, Crowley, or both?

By starting Sam Prendergast for Ireland's final two games in November, it’s hard to tell whether Farrell created a headache for Easterby, or saved him one.

Had the Leinster out-half earned a couple of caps off the bench late last year, any decision to start him during this Six Nations would have been seen as a seismic call by the interim coach.

It’s been less than 18 months since Johnny Sexton’s retirement, and despite fears that Ireland would be struggling to find a strong enough replacement for him at out-half, the Irish management are in a position where they have at least two attractive options to pick from in Prendergast and Jack Crowley. Ciarán Frawley is also a viable third choice option.

Having started the final two games of the Autumn Nations Series, and maintained good form for Leinster, Prendergast is the favourite to get the nod for the opener against England next Saturday, but Crowley’s impressive performances in Munster’s two most recent Investec Champions Cup outings would have been exactly the response that Farrell and Easterby wanted to see. Rather than wilt after losing his starting place, the 25-year-old is coming into the championship with a spring back in his step. It would be no surprise to see him get the nod next week.

The debate over