How does the Irish pack's use of the ball stack up with their rivals?

The recent signs have been good, but Saturday's visit to Paris will represent a true test for Ireland's forward pack.

Through November, the Irish forwards dominated, and it continued against an inexperienced Welsh side in Round 1 of the Six Nations, with Ireland losing just two of their 120 rucks in the entire contest while stealing an excellent 5% of Welsh ball on the ground.

However it's the role of the Irish forwards in open play that is impressing most, combining a relentless physicality in the contact zone with a subtlety in their handling and link-up play that is creating indecision and forcing mistakes in the opposition.

They've been capturing the eye for their work in attack, particularly the likes of Tadhg Furlong, Tadhg Beirne and Andrew Porter, but that work starts in defence where they have brought aggression and meanness.

Had it not been for a loose offload by Beirne shortly before full time, Ireland would have shut-out Wales for their first time in the Six Nations, and while it was a try Andy Farrell said they were unhappy to concede, the attempted offload from Beirne was not one he'd likely attempt in a tighter game.

Those seven points were all Wales could get from the contest, and in reality they never looked close to breaching the Irish tryline. Even during their brief period of dominance between the 20th and 30th minute, they struggled to make any inroads into the Irish defence with the bulk of their possessions coming in a series phases across the 22.

Their speed off the line and aggression in the contact area can be summed up in the amount of dominant tackles they met Welsh carriers with. Of the starting eight forwards, half of them hit 10% of better when it came to dominant tackles, including all three of