Preview: Ireland expects but Italy test provides big questions

"We'll see. That’s what it’s all about, isn’t it," grinned Andy Farrell, as he finished Thursday’s press conference near Dublin airport.

The Ireland head coach had been asked a question, which by the look on his face, he'd probably been expecting.

Since his Ireland side clicked into gear in the latter half of 2021 they’ve answered almost every question thrown at them:

How do they find a way around the physicality of South Africa and France? Tick...

Can they replicate their impressive home form on the road? Tick...

Do Ireland’s players have the skills to play fast, attacking rugby? Tick...

It’s been said in recent seasons – even by Farrell’s own players – that when Johnny Sexton isn’t around, their standards both in games and in training have slipped.

And it was put to Farrell that Saturday’s Round 3 Guinness Six Nations meeting with Italy in Rome will be a litmus test of whether or not that issue has been addressed.

Sexton hasn’t been entirely absent this week, remaining in camp to deal with his groin injury, which is expected to be all clear for the trip to Murrayfield on 12 March.

While it’s still a strong Ireland line-up, and one that’s expected to make it three wins from three against Italy, it will be a good window into how well they function and adapt when some of the key leaders have been lost.

As well as Sexton, Ireland are already without Tadhg Furlong, Robbie Henshaw, Jamison Gibson-Park and Tadhg Beirne, while the decision to keep someone of Peter O’Mahony’s experience on the bench indicates Farrell has faith in his wider squad to lead themselves.

The Ireland coach has rarely been one to make changes for the sake of rotation, and it’s a bold call to match Ross Byrne and Craig Casey together as a starting half-back