World class.

Bundee Aki says he felt really comfortable with Keith Earls outside him in Ireland’s win over Italy this past weekend.

Earls was shuffled to thirteen in the second-half at the Aviva, with Robbie Henshaw coming off with a competition-ending injury. The Munster winger has played in the centre for both Ireland and Munster in the past, and could very end up there again against Wales.

With the game against the Welsh probably coming a week too soon for Garry Ringrose, Schmidt’s options at thirteen would be Chris Farrell or Keith Earls. Unless he decided to switch Aki to thirteen and bring in Rory Scannell, but that’s doubtful as Schmidt hasn’t really favoured him.

Aki though, who played alongside Farrell against Argentina, would be more than happy to link up with Earls again.

“Keith Earls did really well when he stepped in at 13, he did amazingly to get back and pull off that cover tackle at the end.” Aki said

“I felt really comfortable with him in there, just the same as I have when I’ve had Robbie outside and Johnny Sexton on the inside too.

“When you’ve got players of that calibre there, you can only feed off that experience and enthusiasm.

“Keith’s a world-class player, with the experience and ability he has. So I’m sure he would go really well if he stepped in again to face Wales.” 

Who would you start at thirteen against Wales? Sound off in the comments.