Farrell's selection provides a glimpse into Ireland's future

A calf injury to Sexton’s successor as skipper O’Mahony has ushered in a first-time leader in Caelan Doris and a change at blindside flanker as Ryan Baird takes over the number six jersey. 

FUTURE PLANNING: Head coach Andy Farrell. Pic: Morgan Treacy, Inpho

If last Friday’s visit Guinness Six Nations opener in France marked a winning start to Ireland’s post-Johnny Sexton era, tomorrow’s meeting with Italy at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium could well provide an intriguing glimpse into its future.

With Peter O’Mahony the new captain and a fly-half in Jack Crowley 14 years the outgoing 10’s junior, Ireland barely missed a beat at Marseille’s Stade Velodrome as they recorded a record 38-17 victory over France to get their title defence off to a flying start and immediately raise public expectations of back-to-back Grand Slams.