Ulster's strong form in Europe when securing a first Heineken Cup home quarter-final since 1999 with a return of six wins from six appears set to be reflected in Joe Schmidt's first Six Nations starting XV and replacements which will be announced at lunchtime today for Sunday's game against Scotland at the Aviva Stadium.
In a couple of relatively surprising selections, sources have indicated that Schmidt will name Luke Marshall at inside centre ahead of Gordon D'Arcy, despite the latter's superb performance against New Zealand last November, and also recall Andrew Trimble to the wing. Marshall's exclusion from the Wolfhounds game last Saturday was a pointer towards his selection.
Whole-hearted commitment
In the absence of Tommy Bowe, Keith Earls and now Luke Fitzgerald, Trimble had been well down the pecking order in November, but his consistent form for Ulster, whole-hearted commitment and, perhaps bearing in mind Sean Lamont's presence in a big Scottish side, his physicality all look like earning him the right-wing slot ahead of Fergus McFadden.
The latter started against Samoa and Australia, but, despite growing into the game when the Wolfhounds beat the Saxons, will have to be content with a place on the bench.
Furthermore, in the only other change from the starting XV which faced the All Blacks, Ulster openside Chris Henry (whose autumnal involvement was curtailed by a first-half injury against Samoa) has been chosen to fill the void left by Seán O'Brien's absence on foot of his fine form with the province.
Tactical kicking
With McFadden covering across the three-quarter line, it would also appear that Paddy Jackson has won a recall to the bench as a more like-for-like back-up for Johnny Sexton than Ian Madigan. Jackson has also had more frontline rugby than Madigan this season, and although Ruan Pienaar had assumed the place-kicking duties, Jackson had been kicking reasonably well while his distribution, tactical kicking and tackling have all been top notch.
Perhaps more surprisingly, Dan Tuohy’s improved workrate and energy around the pitch appears set to earn him the role of back-up lock ahead of Iain Henderson, a player with more ballast as a carrier and who can also cover blindside.
Although now more of a specialist openside, the one-time multi-purpose backrower Tommy O'Donnell has earned a place on the bench ahead of Rhys Ruddock and Jordi Murphy.
POSSIBLE IRELAND XV (to face Scotland); Rob Kearney (Leinster); Andrew Trimble (Ulster), Brian O'Driscoll (Leinster), Luke Marshall (Ulster), Dave Kearney (Leinster); Johnny Sexton (Racing Metro) , Conor Murray (Munster); Cian Healy (Leinster) , Rory Best (Ulster), Mike Ross (Leinster), Devin Toner (Leinster), Paul O'Connell (Munster, capt), Peter O'Mahony (Munster), Chris Henry (Ulster), Jamie Heaslip (Leinster). Replacements: Jack McGrath, Sean Cronin, Marty Moore, Dan Tuohy, Tommy O'Donnell, Isaac Boss, Paddy Jackson, Fergus McFadden.
