Our combined Ireland/England team is world class

This is some side!

Front row

Ireland's front row of Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan and Tadhg Furlong used to be the envy of most international sides.

After a biblical demolishing in the scrum at the hands of South Africa in November, followed by the sight of Furlong getting lifted off his feet against Italy, opinion has swiftly changed.

It's the English props who get in alongside Sheehan, whose lineout work has been vastly improved in recent weeks, while we have opted for the on-the-rise Paddy McCarthy on the bench.

Second row

We could end up with egg on our faces here, depending on what happens at the weekend.

Maro Itoje is a shoo-in, despite a poor showing against Scotland, but Joe McCarthy could prove us wrong after a couple of under-par performances.

Leicester's Ollie Chessum pushes Tadhg Beirne to blinside flanker, and again we have gone out on a limb with the inexperienced Edwin Edogbo, following a classy cameo in his debut on the weekend.

Back row

Tom Curry is being used as a super-sub these days, but remains one of the premier opensides in the world.

It would have seemed bizarre a few months back not to include Caelan Doris in a such a side, but the competition is too strong and the Ireland captain has yet to get back to top form.

Henry Pollock and Jack Conan are two of the best impact subs you could ask for.

Half-back

The battle between Alex Mitchell and Jamison Gibson-Park is a close one, but the latter's experience wins out.

With the erratic nature of both of Ireland's 10s, it's a no brainer to go with the English out-halves.

Centre

Stuart McCloskey is in the type of form that would see him get into most sides in the world.

Tommy Freeman has been filling in at 13 this Six Nations, but he would be playing in his best position of wing if Ollie Lawrence were fit.

Back three

With everyone healthy, it is area where both countries excel.

Unfortunately for Ireland, Mack Hansen and Hugo Keenan are currently injured.

Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Robert Baloucoune and Henry Arundell are unlucky to miss out.

Ireland/ England combined 23:

1. Ellis Genge
2. Dan Sheehan
3. Will Stuart
4. Maro Itoje
5. Ollie Chessum
6. Tadhg Beirne
7. Tom Curry
8. Ben Earl
9. Jamison Gibson-Park
10. George Ford
11. Mack Hansen
12. Stuart McCloskey
13. Ollie Lawrence
14. Tommy Freeman
15. Hugo Keenan

Replacements: 16. Jamie George 17. Paddy McCarthy 18. Joe Heyes 19. Edwin Edogbo 20. Henry Pollock 21. Jack Conan 22. Alex Mitchell 23. Marcus Smith