Ireland assistant coach Simon Easterby thinks Ulster's Stuart McCloskey is ready to make Test début in Sunday's RBS Six Nations Championship opener against Wales at the Aviva Stadium.
There have plenty of calls for the 6'4" 23-year-old to be selected to partner Robbie Henshaw in the centre. That move could see Jared Payne switch to full back.
McCloskey would be facing a baptism of fire against the highly physical and experience Welsh pair of Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies, but Easterby says McCloskey has shown he is capable dealing with such threats.
Joe Schmidt will name his team to play Wales on Friday.
