Everyone seems to be pumping Irish tyres at the moment
The Telegraph had the excellent idea to compile its fantasy 2015 Six Nations side and Irish rugby supporters will be pleased with the results. Seven Ireland players feature in the XV, with five in the backline.
The newspaper has selected Rob Kearney as fullback, with Tommy Bowe on the right wing and Robbie Henshaw, who has only started one international game at outside centre, getting the 13 jersey.
The newspaper has opted to pick players that should feature in the championship so Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton are named half backs. Sexton will definitely miss the opener while Joe Schmidt is ‘quietly confident’ Murray should be fit to face the Italians.
In the fowards pack, Munster pair Paul O’Connell and Peter O’Mahony are chosen at lock and blindside. Wales are next best, with three inclusions, while England and France have two selections apiece. The magnificent Italian No.8 Sergio Parisse rounds out the fifteen.
Telegraph Six Nations XV: Kearney; Bowe, Henshaw, Fofana, Thomas; Sexton, Murray; Marler, Hibbard, Wilson; A-W Jones, O’Connell, O’Mahony, Warburton, Parisse.