Many is the time I climbed into a Dublin taxi for the driver to ask the question. You could see it coming. “Do you mind if I ask you a question. Who do you prefer playing with, Ward or Campbell?”

I’ve a neighbour who loves watching rugby on the television but is often confused by the eccentricity of the laws.

One of Andy Farrell’s targets is to increase Ireland strength in depth without compromising results which is exactly what he has achieved in the back three in particular

Ireland have a really competitive pack at present but need more depth at prop and second row, to be able to compete with the likes of South Africa, New Zealand, France and England at the knockout phase of a World Cup.

Now we know. Ireland are a very good side but, at the moment, France are just that little bit better. The challenge for Andy Farrell and his management team is to close that gap between now and the World Cup in 19 months’ time.

Key talking points for Saturday's pivotal Six Nations contest at the Stade de France

A force of nature in so many ways, Tom Kiernan - Tommy, TJ or the Silver Fox as he was affectionately known by so many in his inner sanctum - was a truly remarkable character.

It says everything about the difference in quality between the old Six Nations rivals at Lansdowne Road on Saturday that, despite the 22-point winning margin, Ireland could and should have handed out a greater beating to Wales

Wales are short seven proven British and Irish Lions who between them have amassed more than 650 caps - on the other hand Andy Farrell is just short James Lowe and Robbie Henshaw

Nothing can replace that sense of pride in where you come from and who you represent in those special moments lost in your own thoughts, looking out the window of the coach en route to the stadium