Late last week, there was some optimism that Tadhg Furlong would be fit to face Wales this week.
Indeed, the tighthead prop told OTB AM that he felt confident that he would recover in time from a hamstring issue picked up early in the Italy game.
However, the latest suggestions are that the Leinster player will miss out on the match.
First in line to replace Furlong is fellow Leinster prop Andrew Porter, who is less experienced.
Ex-Leinster captain Liam Toland and former Leinster fly half Andy Dunne joined Joe on Wednesday Night Rugby and they both feel that Wales will target that area of Ireland's team.
"My concern if he is out is who do you pick at tight-head and there's no doubt that Porter has earned the right to play and be picked but I think we should exercise caution around that because I'm convinced that the Welsh scrum doctor, the minute Furlong's hamstring went, he would have been working with Rob Evans, Ken Owens and Samson Lee around a huge plan to really introduce Porter to a whole new level of scrummaging," said Toland.
Meanwhile, Dunne who feels Furlong is the "Rolls Royce of props" due to his wide range of abilities, feels Porter has some similarities.
"He's actually electric around the field, hugely explosive but what do you want from your tighthead prop going into [the Wales game]?" he said, before touching on how he feels Wales will target that position due to the lack of experience.
"I would suspect he has a big target sign on his chest."
Dunne also pointed out that John Ryan of Munster has played against the Scarlets numerous times which would give him an added knowledge of the Welsh front row in comparison.
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