The board game Risk describes itself as the pursuit of diplomacy, conflict and conquest for two to six players. Rugby’s version is not a million miles removed: bigger pitch and more bodies involved but plenty of overlap on the content. For Saturday’s pivotal next step in Ireland’s grand slam bid, France have put it up to them before a ball is kicked, with a magnificent seven lumps on the bench, supported by just one back. It worked against Italy, which is not to say it will not end in tears this time out. That’s why it’s called Risk.
Ireland’s riposte is less brazen, but only just. The last time they went 6-2 on the bench was against England a year ago – which didn’t end too well – and they have an extra bit of jeopardy with the inclusion of their most capped player, Cian Healy, in the replacements. The prop is a veteran of countless contacts and is looking forward to the afterlife already, which he reckons will demand more physical activity simply to avoid falling apart. The plan for Saturday is to limit his engagement to the fag end of the final quarter. The risk is that circumstance might hurry that one up to a critical level if Andrew Porter has to bail out ahead of schedule.
