Former Ireland Captain Mick Galwey has called for Andy Farrell and his backroom team to make this Irish team their own and start to excite the fans once again.
Galwey, who played for Ireland on 41 occasions says that it's about time we start to see improvements from the squad.
Speaking on the WLR Sport Six Nations Preview Show, Galwey was joined by former Ireland and Lions teammate Nick Popplewell ahead of Ireland's opener with Wales.
"France and England will make a statement today and I just believe they will, and to be up there we need to do the same tomorrow. I won't say comfortably, but beating them well and putting in a performance that all of a sudden other teams will look around and think, 'this Ireland team haven't gone away".
Popplewell, the three-times capped Lions prop, agrees with the former Munster captain.
"I think Gallimh is 100% right. We want big performances. I'm looking at Sexton really - it's kind of get off the pot. We just need consistency now."
Andy Farrell named his side on Friday with 14 Leinster, 5 Munster and 3 Ulster players involved.
#TeamOfUs
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Head Coach Andy Farrell has named his Ireland Match Day 23 for the opening round of the #GuinnessSixNations against Wales in Cardiff 🙌#ShoulderToShoulder #IrishRugby #WALvIRE pic.twitter.com/OPv2Abiu2c— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) February 5, 2021
Leinster's James Lowe returns to the wing with little game time in recent weeks.
The recent PRO14 clash between Munster and Leinster ensured Jordan Larmour was not named to start. His display under the high ball was enough to see him drop to the bench for the opening game of the campaign.
Popplewell believes that Lowe is the best man to start in the position.
"Larmour did seem to struggle a little bit under the high ball and he's basically been slapped for that. So Lowe is in and he's in against a very young winger Hallam Amos."
"That will be a big match for Amos. If Lowe is at any form, you'd be expecting him to be running over the top of him" - said Popplewell.
Galwey is excited to see Lowe get his first Six Nations start.
"He's a serious threat, he's a serious finisher and that's what you need."
"It's all about hitting the ground running. There's no second opportunities."
"God forbid - and unfortunately this is a possibility - but if we lose tomorrow, our season is over basically. It's an awful thing to say, but it's going to be a long Six Nations if we don't get a result tomorrow"
https://open.spotify.com/episode/7e2nR5c4velVWVzuMjhJMx?si=ZViwg6kdTPCb_ktgjgfISw
