I'm really looking forward to the cauldron that is the Principality Stadium on Six Nations day.
There are seven changes in the Ireland team, but you just look at the strength of the squad. Dan Sheehan comes back in and captains the side. Simon Easterby has also taken the opportunity of starting Thomas Clarkson at tighthead for the first time.
Joe McCarthy is back in the second row and I think that is with a view to France, they want to get him up and running. With Garry Ringrose and Mack Hansen coming into the backline and Jamie Osborne in brilliant form for Leinster, the changes don't weaken Ireland in any way.
What you still have is a hardcore on the bench.
On the other side, Matt Sherratt has a very difficult job in the Wales hotseat. He has made it very clear that he is not interested long-term, he’s only in for the interim period of the next three games and he has picked a side with that in mind.
I think this is the most balanced side that Wales have selected in the Six Nations to date.
They have a genuine out-half in the recalled Gareth Anscombe. Warren Gatland had played Ben Thomas, an out-and-out 12, against France and Italy, but he wasn’t comfortable there and that was clear.
With Tomos Williams at scrum-half – they are the Gloucester half-back pairing – it means Wales are immediately stronger there.
I’m intrigued with the backrow he has selected. Jac Morgan and Tommy Reffell are two out-and-out sevens, while the experienced Taulupe Faletau is back in. It’s a hugely talented backrow, much stronger than anything they have fielded in the championship to date.
Wales will certainly be no pushovers. Rugby is the number one sport there and they have taken a hammering as a team.
Ireland will not only be playing a Welsh team, they are playing a whole rugby nation. The Principality Stadium will be hopping.
It’s their first home game and the crowd will do everything it can to get behind the Welsh team. It will be a hotbed, a hugely emotional occasion, but I think Ireland will have far too much.
There is a Triple Crown at stake as well, so there is something tangible to focus on for this game.
Worry about France in two weeks’ time, but win on Saturday, you win a Triple Crown and remain in the hunt for a grand slam. That will be Simon Easterby’s key message between now and kick-off.
