Donal Lenihan: Wales resilient but this Irish team are special

I think a couple of weeks ago, if you were told that both Mack Hansen and Hugo Keenan were going to be out, you'd be worried.

But Calvin Nash has been superb since he got his opportunity. Ciarán Frawley's versatility has probably held him back up to now but he has played six times for Leinster at full-back this year, so I think Andy Farrell had him earmarked as the back-up for Hugo Keenan and I think he will be fine.

He's a really confident player and I'm looking forward to seeing how he goes.

On the bench, we've gone for that 6:2 (backs-forwards) split. We did it for the first time against France in the opening game but you look at the quality you have coming in there in the last 25 minutes.

James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Jack Conan in particular. You've Rónan Kelleher at hooker, who would be on any other team only for Dan Sheehan, and I'm interested to see Oli Jager.

If he comes on, he will be the 31st player to be involved in the campaign and we're only going into our third match, which shows the strength in depth that Ireland have now.

It's always the way it is with Wales. I saw Rob Howley was quoted as saying that Wales must 'create chaos'.

I think they will chase Ireland's line-out but even more so I think they will chase the breakdown.

Ireland's whole attack is predicated on getting that ruck speed in under three seconds, which they've been the best in the championship at, so Wales will certainly attack Ireland there.

But you've got to look at this Welsh side. Since they played last year, Wales have lost iconic figures like Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams, Dan Biggar, Ken Owens, Alun Wyn Jones, Justin Tipuric and Taulupe Faletau. You don't replace them overnight.

In consequence, I think Wales have actually done reasonably well,