Wilkins believes Bealham pushing hard for starting spot for Ireland

Tadhg Furlong is expected to recover from injury for the Welsh game, Pete Wilkins reckons Finlay Bealham has given Andy Farrell and his management team plenty of food for thought.

STARTING PLACE: Connacht coach Pete Wilkins believes his tighthead Finlay Bealham is pushing strongly for the starting place in the Irish No.3. Pic: ©INPHO/Ben Brady

Connacht coach Pete Wilkins believes his tighthead Finlay Bealham is pushing strongly for the starting place in the Irish No.3 shirt after a big showing against Italy on Sunday.

It was a rare start for the 32-year old from Canberra, just the ninth time in his 38 Irish appearances that he has been in from the start of the game.