Top 14 – le Fidjien Semi Radradra pourrait quitter Lyon

I'd have Porter-Sheehan and Lomax in the front row. Tamaiti gets through about one third of Porter's work outside the scrum.

McCarthy and Vaa'ii in the second row. You could equally well go with Scooter instead of Vaa'i as you have Beirne to skipper the lineout from #6.

Doris, Ardie and Beirne in the back row. Tadhg Beirne far too good to leave out. Ardie at 7, Caelan at 8.

I think you're right, despite the dislocation in England's coaching setup they should be good enough to win at home v the ABs.

By the way, England, Ireland and France should expect to beat the All Blacks in November.

1. Tamaiti Williams vs. Andrew Porter.

Can't really take Porter over Williams right now, even if TW is unexperienced compared to AP. Williams has got slicker hands, better physicality, and better scrummaging as well as around the park work.

2. Codie Taylor vs. Dan Sheehan

Very close for this one, especially since Taylor has fixed his throwing with the introduction of Jason Ryan as forwards coach. Sheehan is in fine form as well, but I think CT edges this one just for his performances in TRC, which were incredible, but you can see it either way.

3. Tadhg Furlong vs. Tyrel Lomax

Best tighthead in the world vs. best tighthead 5 years ago. Another close battle of course, but again Lomax takes the edge. In excellent form, not really his fault on those cards as he should've been taken off sooner. Furlong in good form as well, but age is starting to wear him down.

4. Tupou Vaai vs. Joe McCarthy

Another close one. Vaai is in the form of his life. Dominating tackle statistics and lineout completion, as well as carrying and jackling well. McCarthy, however, is also a young talent and likely the future of Ireland locks, similar to Vaai. Pretty even, but I would probably take McCarthy right now over Vaai, by a hairs breadth.

5. Scott Barrett vs. James Ryan

Two players in similar positions. The older locks, but weren't given as much time last cycle. However, Barrett has been out of form since taking the captains place, only just finding his old dominance against Australia in that last test. Another pretty even split, but if Scott Barrett keeps his form progressing as he is, I'm taking him over James Ryan.

6. Wallace Sititi vs. Peter O'Mahony

Sititi is going to be breakthrough player of the year by a mile (sorry Saffas, but SFM is mid), and is the most in form 6 in the world as well. POM was great, and is still a good player, but Sititi is a future hall of famer if he continues as he is. Dominant contact, slick hands, good brain on top, and excellent athleticism as a lineout option. His link up play is also unbelievably good for a rookie. Currently, Sititi beats POM.

7. Sam Cane vs. Josh van der Flier

Sam Cane is on the way out, and without the burden of captaincy has shown improvement at 7, but you can't teach old dogs new tricks. A workhorse to be sure, but he simply doesn't have the hand or the brain to mix it with these guys anymore, while JVDF has proven himself to be the forerunning 7 in the world, maybe behind Kolisi.

8. Ardie Savea vs. Caelan Doris

This ones gonna upset some Irish fans, but I remember last years QFs pretty well, and how poorly Doris played. Doris is an excellent player, but he is simply not physical enough, and Savea is out of form right now, but I think that is the exception, not the rule for him. Even out of form Savea is ridiculously good, and everyone calling for him to go are just so used to his magic that they don't even recognise how good he is now. So, Savea > Doris.

Kerevi and Skelton will help ofc, but more top european influence could have been included with profit. I think the XV will struggle with Bristol's attacking energy in the first game.