Andy Farrell unlikely to make many tweaks to winning formula

Throughout this Rugby World Cup campaign Andy Farrell has played it relatively safe with his team selections, which in an ironic way has been a high-risk strategy.

For the first three games of Pool B, the Ireland coach has picked close to his best available team, targeting continuity in the squad to build their way through the tournament.

The risk involved has been injury-related. Ireland could have put out a second-string side against Romania and won handsomely, while some of the front-liners could also have been given the night off against Tonga had he wished.

So far, the risk appears to have been worth it. They were thankful for that level of continuity in the side against South Africa, and had Johnny Sexton has looked as good as ever with three games under his belt. A hamstring twinge or a rolled ankle in either of those opening games and we may not have been so pleased.

Having had a chance to rest the bodies during the recent bye-week, there's no reason why we won’t see Ireland's strongest possible XV again when Farrell names his squad to take on Scotland in the Pool B decider tomorrow.

Considering the injuries some of their rivals have had to deal with, Ireland have enjoyed the rub of the green in their opening games. The likes of Dan Sheehan, Jack Conan and Dave Kilcoyne all brought knocks into the tournament but all three have now recovered; Sheehan and Kilcoyne have both seen game time in the tournament while Conan is available for selection this week against the Scots.

It’s unlikely we’ll see Robbie Henshaw at the Stade de France on Saturday though. The centre (above) sat out training on Wednesday after picking up a "niggle", according to forwards coach Paul O'Connell, and having also been a late scratch for the